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Tonight Ev was pushing hard for us to go to Jervois Steakhouse or Sidart for our anniversary, but when push comes to shove I am the boulder that blocks all... so we ended up at Depot. We (I) ordered the Hapuka Sliders, Bone Marrow, Braised Lamb Neck, Potato Skins and Cookie skillet. The Hapuka sliders were the glow up the filet-o-fish could only ever dream of 10/10 yes get in my mouth and stay there. The bone marrow struck a chord of nostalgia for me- as kids my sister and I would fight over the marrow from the Sunday roast lamb. Nostalgia meets refinement with Fergus’ Bone Marrow, a true masterpiece that I truly adored. When the lamb came out Evan was poised to use his knife, but what place does a knife have when meat simply falls off the bone? Yet another 10/10. Would eat rice for a month in exchange for this lamb. The potato skins were crispy, fluffy and perfectly seasoned (a flashback to when I was a kid and my brother brought some back from a date night with my sister in law ❤️). By the end of all the savoury Evan and I were ready to tap out, BUT dessert called and I answered (the skillet desserts have had me frothing since I first learnt of their existence way back when). THE COOKIE SKILLET WAS RUDE and would most definitely call your parents, boss and place of education to get back at you and ruin your life. Depot really earned a place in my heart tonight. The service was absolutely amazing (our waitress was v// cool) they were attentive without being in your face and I appreciate that in a restaurant. The food was delicious and didn’t play any cruel tricks on my tastebuds (I see you sugar club). A truly memorable evening and the perfect way to commemorate another year with Ev.
Depot-nitely need to try this place out! [I’ve been here quite a few times & everytime I’m here, I’m very satisfied, full & thinking about the next time I’m back. (Ok jks, but honestly the places I give a 5 to are places that tick all the boxes, plus I would crave & think about all the time. Also, it’ll be a place I’ll happily recommend to anyone with the certainty that it would be enjoyed). So...the food is no doubt amazing. There’s not much to say other than it’s great. I especially love their lamb chops 😍. If you want to go, be prepared to wait because it’s always packed even on a weekday & everytime I go, there’s a waiting list :):(. The service is good, atmosphere is nice. Clean & overall so memorable. Hands down one of the best eats on Federal St (ok that’s hard, because there’s lots of amazing food around there).
-> BE BACK OR BACK AWAY? be back for sure! I cannot wait to be back 😝😌☺️😍😍]
Service was really friendly and fast. We started with oysters which tasted really fresh. That was followed by bone marrow that was delish, but fattier than I expected. We then had the lamb ribs, which had a delicious spicey crust. We finished it off with the pork hock and potato skins. We ordered too much for two people, I’d recommend dropping one dish. And we probably went overboard with meat.
Came in for lunch, good and service was great as usual. Oyster and Tua Tua was so fresh, and the tulbot slider was to die for.
Look forward to next time
only got the sliders and lamb rib because we were not that hungry but are desperate to try out depot. The lamb ribs were great, juicy and tender, the mashed potatoes compliments the rib and I could really always come back just for the ribs. The sliders were also very tasty, layers of fish and mayo and a buttery soft bread. this was a super delicious experience and the service staffs were also very friendly
Amazing restaurant. The oysters are always 10/10, great service. Very thankful for another faultless meal at one of my favourite restaurants.
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The restaurant is an oyster bar with other raw seafood but it does much more than that. We didn't make a booking but was able to get a table. The tables look like they have menus which seem to be printed daily, but I'm not sure if the items change or not. We came for dinner but they also do breakfast and noticed beignets on their breakfast menu.
The menu is split into raw, charcuterie, small dishes, large dishes and side dishes. It did look like they were made for sharing. We grabbed a couple of small and large dishes to share between us. Of the items on the menu, the bone marrow was what grabbed my attention. The serving consisted of three half bones filled with marrow baked in a wood-fired oven. It came with crispy bread and a really tart caper and parsley salad. It was delicious. The marrow was great on its own, with the bread or with the bread and salad. The salad did cut through the richness of the marrow but I enjoyed the marrow on its own as well. The kingfish belly was also really good, served with a slightly spicy eggplant kasundi (almost like a sweet chutney) and toast. The fresh fish with the spiced eggplant was a really nice combination. The pork hock was nice with the crispy but still slightly chewy crackling but did find the meat a bit on the dry side. The apple salad did help but I found it way too tart.
The food here is really nice and well made. The service is also quite good, friendly and easy to approach. The prices were a bit high but the portions were actually decent. Definitely a great place to stop by for food.
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Depot
Not once or twice but over years have I been passed Depot. I have always wanted to go but I just never got around to getting there. I would have looked at reviews online, menus, and interior. I had definitely booked marked it on my Zomato account. Once I had arrived, the inside was different from standing outside in front of the dividers. I didn’t expect to see a
Rustic scene/theme yelling out “boat shed slash wear-n-tear kitchen” it does make sense as Depot refers to storage of large items and equipment etc etc. Every staff was running around as if they have just got the place readily able to dine-in and getting ready to open. But it was just busy and staff were doing their utmost to attend each table. Standing in front of the counter invisibly crossing fingers hoping for a table, in less than 60 seconds they had one available. I had read reviews and heard staff aren’t very nice but I truly got the opposite they were very hospitable, they smiled and were friendly. Good service is always a must in my book.
From my view I could see the Oyster bar chef carefully opening through oyster shells. I excitedly decided to take a photo of the Oyster bar. The menu’s typeface was typewriter font small and faded, it was hard on the eyes that the dim lights made it invisible to see what I was reading. Had to pull out my phone torch to make out what I was reading. I thought it was ridiculous to do but I wanted to save my eye sight from future issues. On the menu are a beautiful array of home feel dishes that sounded hearty (loving the idea of shared plates as you do with comfort food). Had water in aluminium cups that looked like they were scooped up from popa’s shed that he kept from when his parents were still alive. Filled with over boiled water that left a tinkle of bitterness - safe is good I guess.
Respectfully keeping to the theme, we were seated on wear out painted high stalls, arched back leaning on rustic tables. We were served with pita bread and hummus. Then the best came out, bluff Oysters and Ceviche with Taro chips. Bluff oysters were a treat, don’t think I have had them before but they tasted sweeter and stronger. But for the price we payed - like anywhere else you go to - I should have taken the shells home for the garden, as a remembrance of precious seafood. The ceviche was so fresh the travally was cut into dice size squares mixed in herbs and I think it was cream not too sure, but it just mellowed well with the crunchy taro chips. We finished it off with the skirt steak that just goes well after eating oysters. Tender medium rare steak with crunch onions and a fresh ice burg to cool the palate from the rich flavours. End of the night good things come to an end but before I stop, I forgot to mention the skin potatoes, thick and crunchy - I dramatically dribble for them.
Rating 4.0 Very rustic feel decor. The casualness doesn’t convey how good the food are. Loved everything we ordered, particularly the complimentary pita & dip. The charcuterie had an interesting mix, including popcorn duck tongue & rabbit rillettes. The fish was cooked nicely served on toast. The lamb ribs were full of spice. Would’ve been 4.5, if only they had more comfy seats and served wine in a proper wine glass!
Came here for a work lunch and didn't have any trouble finding seats. Service was a tad slow at the beginning but it was quite busy by the time we ordered so that is excusable. Shout out to the Talbot sliders. So good that we ended up getting two orders. The skirt steak, octopus and pork hock were also bomb!
Some staff, actually looks like they are even managers or supervisors, are rude as. But servers are always friendly.
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Located on the Federal street opposite Skycity. Depot has a chaotic but energetic environment. The old-school decors makes you feel like you are visiting a sailor’s bistro.
Despite the non-booking in advance, hard to find parking, long waiting queues and never changing menu, this is still my favorite seafood eatery.
Each table starts with a complimentary Roti. The Roti is well flavored with a delicious hummus sauce.
Their shelled seafood are always very fresh. Tuatua is my must-order-dish at Depot. With a bit of lemon squeeze and vinegar dip, you can still taste the sweetness of ocean spray.
The Sliders are filled a juicy Hapuka fillet, watercress and mayonnaise. The Slider are slightly crusty with a buttery scent. A very mouthwatering dish.
The Lamb Ribs are excellently spiced with sprinkles of cumin, moist and baked so well that it melts inside your mouth. The potato purée settles down the grease which is unavoidable for lambs.
The Grilled Beef Tongue was something new on the menu. The meat was soft with a delicate chew. Matching well with the Cheese and Chimichurri sauce, again with a slight sourly flavoured salad to balance off the richness of the meat. I only recommend this only for bigger groups sharing, as the dish is in a big portion and can get quite heavy when consumed too much.
I also give high recommendations on their Oysters, Kingfish Sashimi and Potato Skin. Some also likes the Sugar Pie, but personally I found it too heavy and sweet.
None of their dishes require complex technique, but all their dishes has been considerately designed with balancing flavors. All dishes are freshly prepared with fresh ingredients (observed from a joyful experience sitting next to the kitchen bar once) So I guess fresh and simplicity is their magic.
Food are as always quick to serve. However I was slightly disappointed with the quality of service this time. The waiter gave us a poor estimation of wait time, the sauce was removed from our table prior to finishing the dish, and order taking was slightly unprofessional.
Despite the above, this will not stop my love for Depot. I just hope services will be considered equality important as taste, and make everyone’s dining a more pleasant experience in the future.
Taste: 10/10
Presentation: 7.5/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value for money: 10/10
Price $50 per person (excl alcohol or higher dependent on how much clams you can handle)
Everything ordered was soooooooo good! The only thing that I was really gutted about is them changing their cloudy bay claims served with squidink pasta to flatbread, even with that I was okay until I got served a flatbread that was really burnt at the bottom. The new dish on the menu, the sauce doesn't really bring out the full flavor of the clam that much compare to the old dish, I wish they at least served the clams in a bowl and bread separately so it doesn't go all soggy. Not to sure will I be going back anytime soon as the only I even go there is for their squid linguine and their amazing fish sliders.
We ordered the pork hock which was good but slightly salty. Otherwise the food was good. Due to popularity, the restaurant always seems packed. Seating may be uncomfortable in the middle aisle seats but overall a good experience!
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We came to depot tonight for dinner at around 7pm. The place was packed and if we wanted to sit inside it was going to be an hour and a half wait, luckily there was a table outside so we were seated straight away.
Food: everything we ate was so amazing. We had the bone marrow, pork hock, potato skins, the cookie skillet, and the sugar pie. Pork hock was so amazing, meat was so and the apple helped to refresh the dish, potato skins were yum but would get a sauce to have with them next time. Both desserts were great, cookie skillet was rich and decadent while the sugar pie was light and creamy. Next time, we’d switch things up to get some lighter dishes as everything we chose was quite heavy and fatty so we were destroyed by the end but it was totally worth it.
Service: Service was really friendly and helpful, however was quite slow and they forgot to place our order for oysters so we unfortunately didn’t get to try those tonight. However, it is understandable when the place is so busy and they were apologetic for the mistake. Didn’t impact our night at all and the slower pace of service was almost nice as this allowed a lot of time to just chill.
Overall we will definitely return and totally recommend!!
The food was absolutely amazing and such a good atmosphere to have dinner in (even at later hours). We especially loved the kahawai and lamb ribs. The service was very friendly and attentive too. Would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone dining in the CBD!
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The Depot is owned by Sky City and 2 other Bars that are situated on Federal St, and though it’s still a thorough fare/transit alley, once you get inside and away from the buses, cabs & tourists it’s quite the place to be. The Venue is busy and I now get it why they don’t do Reservations as the turn over is fast and furious lol waiting for a table depending on time and day and size of your group the wait can be less than 30mins to an hour. I guess we were lucky we got a table for 6 in that time frame. The interior/exterior is quirky has silent tones of industrial modern. Like a classic Billy Joel song “Allen Town”.
Cutlery sits on the tables in tins. Under the tables are hooks for your bags and the Staff even ask if you’d like your coats hung... how cool is that. Inside seating are stools and outside are chairs. Although a tad bit of a challenge once you’ve climbed and perched on your stool you soon forget about the task of it all.
Now if you don’t know who Al Brown is then I guess you don’t... I’ve watched him on tv and followed him religiously he is a fantastic. NZ Chef who loves to cook and re create the kiwi classic family meals... he’s taken our memories of the best meals ever — not the ones in stuffy smart restaurants, but when we’ve been on the beach with fish and chips, at the neighbourhood barbie with mussels and bangers, at the bach with mismatched crockery and fresh flounder, pipis from the sea — and re-invented them as a sit-down, inside experience. For me and I’m sure the rest of the group he has succeeded because the whole atmosphere presents a cheerful poke in the eye to stuffiness, and because the food is so beautifully cooked... it really hits the spot.
Once seated you are served a complimentary dish of chargrilled tortillas and beetroot hummus-it’s good and makes great conversation as we look through the menu for ordering. Menu has a choice of oyster varieties and other shellfish, Snapper, Hapuka sliders (mini burgers) with preserved lemon and watercress; battered snapper tortillas served with coleslaw and salsa... the choices are mouth watering.
The drink selection is good especially for those that enjoy good Wine — good Marlborough sauvignon from Spy Valley and pinot noir from Otago’s Mt Edward — its also available on tap, served in carafes and drunk from tumblers. It’s kinda cool it’s not all the carry-on about the right glasses it’s a nice reminder that you can drink anything from anything lol
The Staff and Service, Fantastic! These guys know there product and how to sell it. Our Waiter was awesome, although very cocky, but got to hand it to the Guy, he was on point🕺🏽
That aside, there’s nothing else not to like. It’s pretty much almost perfect.
The rest room is shared with the neighboring Bar/Rst. and is a nice walk down the hallway the walls are covered with old school photos of days gone by.
Hats off to Sky City and trusting Al Browns vision I guess I was secretly hoping he would himself come past and chat.
Great place for friends, families who simply want to have a good time over good food.
Just remember wait times vary as there is No Booking system (first come basis for seating which depends on numbers)
Parking- Sky City Car Park and if you grab receipt after dining I believe discount avail.
Bill payment: individual payments can be made 👍🏼
Ohhhh yes the seating if your not keen on Stools
But once perched you soon forget the dilemma 😬
4.5/5
Only one downside here... oh maybe 2
It’s busy, so super hard to get a table. The other is federal street is dark, so it’s not really the ideal spot for a summer lunch.
Upside/ the food is AMAZING! The Hapuka sliders are nek level, I could just come and eat 20 of those!
The charcuterie board was yummy - love the little popcorn chicken livers.
Fab food, can’t complain on that front
Always got the best fresh tuatua. Kids love the fish burger and dessert. Service was really nice and friendly. Just a bit slow while busy. Sit outside is good but don't go when it's windy...
Still one of my favorite restaurants. Fresh ingredients and smart work on flavours. Delicious raw options, fish sliders, yummy bone marrow and tasty linguine. I love dipping the bread in the sauce at the end of the meal too.
Could do with slight upgrades. But happy as it is.
Service: 3/5
Environment: 4/5
Presentation: 4.5/5
Food Quality: 5/5
Food Quantity: 4/5
Price per person: $60-$70
4.5 - really fresh and high quality ingredients. The portion sizes of the small dishes were decent. For two people I’d recommend two or three small dishes and 1 or 2 sides. Loved the sliders (they come in threes but they added an extra one to keep it even) and the cauliflower dish. The addition of the anchovies weren’t necessary, and it’s a shame there are no vegetarian dishes on the menu except the sides. Also didn’t like the wine being served in water glasses.
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I've never been to Depot Eatery but after seeing Eatlitfood's Instagram post, I knew I had to come and try it out. My boyfriend and I came here around 5:15pm for dinner and it was already packed with people, that's how we knew it was a good restaurant and we made the right decision. We were seated at the bar and the waitresses/waiters were absolutely lovely, providing some amazing service. The free bread they give tasted really good, we weren't too sure what the sauce was but it went so well with the flatbread. We ordered the bone marrow (apparently one of their most popular items) and the beef tongue because we like to eat adventurously. The food took a while to come out due to how busy the restaurant was and a lovely waitress checked on the food for us without us asking her because she saw us waiting for a long time, the previous waiter who took our order apparently didn't tell us about the bone marrow taking a longer time to cook so the waitress offered us more free bread, which was a lovely and appreciated gesture.
When the bone marrow arrived, we were stunned. It spreads just like butter and when placed on the crunchy bread, it added so much flavour, making the bread taste so much richer and it was insane. We enjoyed the bone marrow so much and would definitely order this again! The beef tongue was great too, the sweet cherry sauce made the beef tongue so much better and we were given some sauce that was spicy too, which we used because we love our food spicy.
I highly recommend Depot Eatery (do come early though, as it's extremely busy even when we went). I'd definitely be back!
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Another wonderful restaurant on Federal Street.
Service: 10/10
The service here is impeccable.
When we first entered there were no seats available indoors so they offered us a seat outside.
They first brought us cold water and when we asked for hot water instead they happily replaced it and refilled our cups several times throughout the night.
The wait for the food wasn’t too long but even so the servers brought us two servings of hummus and tortilla in case we were peckish.
They also often changed our dirty plates and wiped our tables so our experience was more enjoyable.
Food: 10/10
We ordered the hapuka sliders, the Fergus bone marrow, braised lamb neck, freedom farm pork hock, squid ink linguine, cookie skillet and sugar pie.
The hapuka sliders were small but the bread was buttery and crispy. The fish was so unbelievably tender with a delicious creamy sauce.
The bone marrow portion was huge and filled with deliciously smooth and salty bone marrow. The bread was super crunchy and the side of salad was refreshing.
The braised lamb neck was the best main. The lamb was so tender I could pull the meat off with a fork. The flavour was roasted and deeply marinated into the meat. The gnocchi was sweet and smooth, I liked that it had a crispy shell texture on the outside. The kale was crunchy like chips.
The squid ink linguine was a peculiar texture unlike any other pasta I’ve had before. The clams were very fresh and aromatic. The sauce had delicious salami bits and it tasted great with the bread dipped into it.
The pork hock was quite tough but the flavour was nice. The mashed potatoes were slightly sweet When mixed with the apples and contrasted the saltiness.
The cookie skillet was so warm and gooey which paired well with the coldness of the ice cream.
The sugar pie wasn’t too sweet and the base was buttery.
Ambiance: 10/10
Even though we were sitting outside, there were heaters so it wasn’t cold at all.
There is a mixture of jazz and rock music which livens up the atmosphere, perfect for a hangout with friends.
The lighting is quite bad for taking pictures outside as it is quite dark with only yellow lighting.
There are a variety of seats and it is very spacious and open.
This place really knows how to cook food. I’ll definitely be back for those sliders and the cookie skillet.
Love the lamb and fish burgers. The complementary naan was great as well. If only I could order more but it is not on the menu.
They don't accept reservation but actually I never need to wait for the seat every time I went there. And staffs are always considerate and friendly.
Great place. This place does share plates so it's perfect to go in a group and order different meals of their menu.
The food is fresh and tastes good. The service is bang on as well.
This is a little pricey but you can especially for the size of the meals. But I guess you can expect it for the location and type of clientele it attracts.
Came here after lunch. Fresh oysters and clams. Highlight was their fish soliders. Very tasty. We sit by the kitchen. Watched lots of yummy food been cooked. It seems that the pork hock is very popular. Will return again next time to try more dishes.
Potato skin(12$) and Lamb rip(20$). Potato skin was really good and Lamb rip was soft but Lamb rip was also smelly so don’t try it if you don’t like Lamb smell.
It is really good. The waiter is friendly. Although we cannot understand the menu completely,the waiter explained what we want to know and wait for us to order. I would go there next time.
Dora The Food Explorer
+5
If I could give a 6 star rating I would. Depot blew me away at my first bite of the Hapuka Sliders with lemon mayo and watercress. The hapuka and the buttery bun melts in your mouth so delicately. We chased that with some Te Kouma sweet and creamy oysters. Next we had the Squid ink linguini with Cloudy Bay clams and chorizo along with some crunch Potato Skins cooked in truffle oil. We finished off with a warm woodfired cookie with a chocolate coated vanilla ice cream in the centre. I mean.. this is the best it gets. So stoked I got to meet the man himself, Al Brown.
Bone marrow was too oily and a little disappointing. Everything else was delicious. Steak is so tender and love their seafood as well. Definitely need to come back again
Depot. Only had been here for breakfast before but tonight dinner. Chose both the hapuka sliders and the skirt steak. They threw in some free bread and i think pureed pumpkin while i waited smooth move! Everything here was wicked the hapuka sliders are small but a perfect starter but very very well balanced with lemon and mayo almost perfect bite size pieces. The skirt steak dish was way bigger than I expected but man tobacco onions? So good. Mustard was on point the lettuce was dressed very well and the steak perfect. Absolutely stuffed!
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Made it to one of Al Brown's restaurants! All the dishes that we ordered were absolutely delicious and the presentation was immaculate! The fish from the sliders was so fresh; soft and melted in your mouth. The tempura batteres cauliflower were so crunchy like popcorn. The sauce underneath it was a good combination. The bluff and mahurangi oysters was so clean and fresh as well. A bit of a squeeze from the lemon, made it extraordinary! The lamb ribs and lamb neck were also perfectly cooked; the meat fell off the bone and was tender. Their potato skins were so crunchy, and that extra salt from the parmesan cheese made it even better. Kingfish sashimi, Ceviche with Taro chips and the Venison cheeks were a spot on 9/10! Lastly, the cookie skillet was my favourite out of the dessert selection. Followed by the Mulled Wine Tamarillo and the Sugar pie.
The ones that let me down were the Kina cream buns. A weird, yet foreign taste had hit my tongue. I was expecting the bun to be soft, but it was really doughy and stiff. The bowl of brussel sprouts was absolutely way too salty, we had to send it back to the kitchen.
Would absolutely come dine here again! The menu is designed for sharing, so grab a group and get chowing! What a great experience I had. Staff was friendly too!
The oyster and lamb soooo yummy :)
They don’t accept bookings and only accept walk ins.
The food are so amazing and staff are super helpful and friendly.
Like what their site says “There’s an energy and passion about Depot. Not overly precious or pretentious – just fast, fun and fresh.”, and I agree 100% with it, I love this place, good food and great wine, I think that is why this place is quite successful and there is no lunch time that I passed by that this place is empty, always full to the brim but turn overs are quite fast, so think of it as the highest level of fast food, as they literally serve fast but fresh and of top quality.
First meal after landing in Auckland city.
We waited for over an hour and apparently they don’t accept reservation neither.
Their oyster is quite fresh and juicy. The fish burger is really tasty but it is quite tiny. The steak is ok and the pasta tasted terrible to me.
Hands down my favourite restaurant! It doesn’t matter what you order, you know it’s going to be great. Never in 1000 years would I normally order and eat bone marrow but it is the first thing I order every time I visit. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff too!
My friend and I check out the place today for lunch and it’s very busy. We were seated quickly and the waitress bought us an iced cold water each. I ordered a “Confit Duck Legs” ($39) and my friend ordered a “Squid Ink Linguine & Cloudy Bay Clams” (Small $26), both from the Bigger Share section. The food taste good but it comes in quite a small portion, consider the prices, we expected a bigger plate. The food took a long time to arrive at our table, approximately 20-30mins and we weren’t given any napkins during our meal, nor did they fill up our water. So we finished our meal and left without wiping our mouth 😂... and thirsty. With such a good rating, we expected better service... Would have given a 5star, but the service was just not up to standard for us.
The oysters were addictive, not only the ingredients but the preparation was without losing any freshness. It has a rusty and unique settings that made you pardoned the unusual. One thing I really dislike is that the front line staff moved already seated guests around in order to pack more people & profits in. Twice I went, each time I got asked to move at least twice.
Food: 5/5
We came here for a light dinner. I got the lamb ribs and they were super soft and juicy. The cumin flavour wasn’t too overpowering, but you could tell that it was seasoned with cumin. Came with a standard mash on the side.
This place is always busy and has the best vibes. Great service and food is always cooked with care. We always share our plates and dont be fooled by the size, small but when you get a few to share they are worth it and so much flavour! Im usually a stinge when it comes to how much ill spend and ill never regret the day I let my husband twist my arm into going here..its one of my favourites :)
Stunning meal at depot last night!
Every dish was amazing and the service was great.
We had the oysters, sashimi, sliders, Kawahai, steak, potato skins and for dessert the cookie skillet and rice pudding!
All that for three people and left all left feel sooooo happy!
I haven’t had a dining experience like that for a while and so I was really glad I finally made it here!
Went there last night with friends. This is a very famous and busy restaurant. It was a fabulous experience! Good service and good food! Love here!
Depot never goes wrong for me. Amazing place, Amazing food, amazing people. The quality of the ingredients they use is just superb and cooking it the right way just makes it an extra bit of amazing. They don’t have a long drinks menu list but if you ask they can do most of the easy cocktails which I love ✌🏻
In all honesty I just come here for clams, but it helps when everything else is amazing too. Highly recommend the potato skins, fish tacos and asparagus with sausage skin.
Haven’t been to Depot in a while as there is always a waiting list but we went at 2.30pm on a Saturday and a table was available immediately.
The tuatua and diamond clams were super fresh and you must order the fish sliders - their most popular and famous fish. The bread is so soft and grilled to perfection.
We also ordered the lamb and duck dishes.
Lamb was 5/5, nicely seasoned and came with a side of potato mash.
The duck was also delicious, with super crispy skin. I would recommend ordering less if you have two people though because the portions are decent sized and we weren’t able to finish our food.
Lamb ribs are awesome! snapper sliders are amazing too. But I don’t like Liver parfait, it is not French liver style at all, too much cream inside.
Went to depot for dinner last Wednesday night and absolutely loved it as always. We were seated very quickly as the lady asked us if we wanted to sit at the bar outside and we were more than happy to. We ordered the tuatuas, tempura cauliflower, hapuka sliders, kingfish sashimi, pork hock and steak. Everything was amazing and service is impeccable as always. Love the casual yet refined feel of the restaurant. It has a lovely atmosphere. Can’t wait to go back again.
I’ll say everything was just wonderful except the steak...not gonna order steak here again, very disappointed.
But the pork was absolutely delicious, tender, juicy and with crispy skin. And the chocolate cookies was the best dessert that I’ve ever had, highly recommended!! When the cold ice cream and hot baked cookies melting together in your mouth, OMG that’s heaven!!
Service 5/5
Food 4/5
Ambience 4/5
Everything about this place was amazing, the service and the food.
We were sat right up at the kitchen and given complimentary flat bread and hummus. We were served promptly despite being very busy. Food came out in a timely matter, and for hot food from the kitchen the chef would bring it to you and explain the dish, and if we needed any extra bread or anything just to holla. The food was amazing.Just Excellent.
Great food. Perfect atmosphere. Highly recommend!
I love oysters and this restaurant has the best I have tasted. Cute plates that burst with flavour.
Ordered the sliders, lamb ribs and also confit duck!! I love the confit duck so much, it is extremely flavourful (abit too salty but it’s good for me)! The food here is legit delicious, lamb ribs is so tasty as well. The sliders is not bad but I’d love to have more sauce!!
Total damage: $78 for two pax
Ambience: 5 / 5
Food: 4.5 / 5
Service: 4 / 5
Price: 4 / 5
Overall is good but a bit too pricey in my opinion
We had a terrific dinner here. Pretty crowded but our reservation was respected immediately. Wonderful ambiance. Great Food. Excellent Service. What more could you ask for?
The best restaurant in town.
Their fish sliders were amazing and delicious. Must try.
And the oysters were fresh and super yummy❤️
I also love their lamb ribs too, really soft and taste really good. Thank you!
Absolutely in love with their food! The linguine pasta with clams has such rich flavors and their steak is just too good. I even like how they give me water with ices hahahaha
What a great place. Relaxed, friendly staff and sensational food. Brisket Tortillas, Smokey with a touch of spice. Squid Ink Linguine with clams, sublime. On my favourites list.
Have loved this place over the last couple of days!! They have 3 options on the breakfast menu and their granola is just beautiful! Service is amazing and the ambience superb! Coffee a 5/5 always a bonus for me!!
This is a very wonderful experience. It is still busy at 2pm, we got lamb ribs, fish slides and steak. I like the lamb ribs very much, delicious.
My friend and I only came here for the dessert and we shared this cookie skillet with ice-cream between us. Staff were looking at us funny when we went straight to the dessert menu though 😂 Anyways, IT WAS AMAZING 😍 It was served to us when it just came out of the oven of so it was nice and fresh. The cookie was moist and hot and it matched perfectly with the ice-cream. Portion wasn’t bad either. Definitely something to try when you’re in the mood for something rich and comforting.
Once you get past the hostess the door you enter into a world of friends, excellent food, and comfort. Our lunch was so good we came back for dinner. Dinner experience did not disappoint. Highly recommended oysters!
My favourite restaurant from skirt steak, fresh oyster bar, fish, the potatoe skins with truffle oil love it. I have never been disappointed and great dining experience.
Depot is a really lovely eatery. No wonder they are always packed. The staples of my dining here are oysters and hapuka sliders. What I would say is the best dish is the occasional confit duck leg! I personally am one of those diners who wish the tables were a bit bigger, and also wish I could just eat desserts from the Fed while in my seat at Depot. Price is among the nicer restaurants around but it is worth. I would rate 4.5 but looks like it's not an option anymore.
Absolutely adored my experience dining in at Depot. I stopped by for lunch and the quick and attentive service was awesome. As expected even for a Wednesday afternoon Depot was bustling with patrons. For two people we ordered the Hapuka Slider, Lamb Ribs, Sirloin Steak, Potato Skins and had some house Pita. The sliders were fantastic, fresh fish flavour which wasn’t overly fried and dry. I really appreciated how juice the fish was, it was incredible moist.
You cant really go wrong with cumin flavoured lamb, but the grilled cumin lamb was honestly awesome. Although I do wish it came out a little hotter temperature wise. The Sirloin Steak was as expected the side fried onion and cabbage complimented the steak well. Miss Moonshine, needs to learn how Depot cooks and prepares its potato skins, because they are scrumptious.
Showstopper: The sliders, cumin lamb and potato skins.
Overall Grade: A-
We love the fish sliders the most!!! And if you’re fortunate enough to get perched up at the back bench to watch the action I’d highly recommend. The young passionate chefs there are great to watch while waiting for your dishes
Went a while ago with my family, still can’t stop thinking about it. The fish sliders won me over. A place that’s great even if you or your friends aren’t the biggest fan of seafood.
The high bar stools, slight hazard for younger children. Wouldn’t recommend bring a child that’s under the age of 6.
Best to get there early or as soon as it opens, always seem to be very very busy. They don’t take bookings for days in advance. So if you’re exploring the city for the day. Suggest booking when you first arrive in the city. Beware that they won’t let you in , even if you have booked unless your whole party has arrived. Otherwise in enjoy
Came in tonight for dinner. Place was super packed. Had to wait 40 minutes for a table.
Ordered Hapuka sliders, Skirt steak w/ tobacco onions, iceberg wedge & habanero mustard and Potato skins w/ ‘Kingsmeade’ manchego, truffle oil & porcini salt. They served us pita bread with pumpkin puree to start off free of charge. Hapuka was delicious. Brioche buns were grilled nicely and the sauce was delicious. Steak had a really nice grilled flavour. The onions were crispy and thinly sliced. Potato skins were thick and had chunks of potato stuck on them. My favourite was definitely the hapuka sliders.
Great environment. Delicious Food. We were seated in front of the kitchen and it was extremely enjoyable to watch the chefs cook and serve food to us.
Went here for dinner after the dynamo showcase!!! , this place never disappoints us, we always order the same off the menu, we sat outside under the heated lamps, place was pumping as usual, always friendly smiles with the staff and our waiter was awesome!!! Everything 10/10
Probably the best in Auckland. Their sliders are amazing. Also tried hapuka belly, tempered cauliflower and potato wedges. Each one of those were delicious. I never had that amazing potatoes wedges anywhere else. Will surely be my to go place in Cbd.
Been here several times and it doesn’t disappoint. Was here for lunch on Saturday. The place was packed yet staff was attentive and friendly. oysters and clams are as fresh as it can be. The gingerbread, tamarillo and custard is excellent. A petty they took away the bread & butter pudding off the menu.
I quite like the food that we got from this place but I would say that even though I like the place I would not rate this a 5 because the food wasn’t as good as I expected but what I really liked was the service that they provided. We were sitting outdoors so they provided with blankets to keep us warm.
Delicious coffee, vibrant atmosphere and five star customer service. I frequent here on a regular basis and it’s always packed with customers, but the wait is well worth it if you’re a coffee lover. The staff here are all-stars with their super friendly vibe and dedicated service. The Depot is a must visit cafe/restaurant if you’re in Auckland.
My go to place in the CBD for some great food! There’s a great range of food to try. Personally would recommend the sliders - they come in 3’s but they can always add an extra in if needed!
One of my favourite non Asian restaurants! Ordered oysters, lamb ribs and pork hock! The food were just too good to put in a word for... Staffs are helpful and friendly too! Will definitely come back!
Since there is no booking here, we had no problem coming here for an early dinner as there were a few other tables with children/strollers. We were seated inside and were served complimentary bread with hummus which my son claimed his own.
We ordered their ox tongue, Hapuna sliders with pickled mayo, wood roasted snapper wings and lamb neck with gnocchi and cavolo Nero. I enjoyed all the dishes especially the sliders and lamb neck. The lamb was so tender, I wanted to pick the bone up and eat every tiny piece of meat! I tried a glass of their rose but we found their wine by the glass pretty pricey.
I’m glad I got to try this place before heading back home soon.
All I can say is super fresssssh and big big yums! We got the beef brisket tacos, the Hapuka sliders, and the pork hock with some tatey skins. Boyfriend rates this a 8/10 and says would come back. That’s a big deal. Also shout to the lovely staff who worked on 3/7 - you guys were all super patient, lovely and accommodating.
We visited there for lunch in the weekend. The service was good and the food was great. Free bread is a warm touch. We ordered the fish and lamb ribs. The sauce for my fish is a wee bit too salty. Overall it's a nice place that we're happy to go there again.
Decided to visit for a Sunday lunch. The staff were friendly with big attention to detail in order to give the suggestion for the lunch.
Very busy spot but with the greatest service.
Hapuka sliders for entree and the skirt steak were our dishes and they were beyond explanation.
The flavours, the textures and the presentation were all top shelf.
Definetly a place to revisit.
Great oysters and sliders. Definitely an awesome place to take a first date as it's got a great vibe and lost of bustle and watching the chefs if any quiet moments in those first dates haha. This place got me eating oysters after hating them till I was 30. Their vinegarette is the key to starting to eat beautiful oysters and especially their mahurangi oysters.
This is one of my all time favourite places to go to. The quality of food and service is always consistent.
This is where I first tried grilled bone marrows and fell in love with it. I've had countless bone marrows since. It's served with hard crackers but it's not a problem because the waiter will happily change it to soft grilled pita if you ask for it.
The oyster was great and the clams were sweet. One type was sweeter than the other.
I've also tried their burrata, served whole which was yum!
I've tried other dishes too in the past and I've never had anything bad so far.
Super different and trendy, love the vibe of this place.
Shared a few dishes, the white bate sliders were not my favourite. They seemed to lack seasoning, I know they a delicate fish but a little bit more zing would have elevated the dish.
Lamb ribs were really good and the potatoes skins were the star. Those need to be had at every single meal, real potatoes cooked to perfection and crispy mmmmmmm!
Seriously can’t fault this place!! The wait is usually a while as you can’t book but it’s worth it. The food is amazing - kingfish ceviche 😍 , the sliders and pork hock are all delicious , great cocktails and always such lovely & attentive staff.
THIS IS THE BEST PLACE EVER! If you ever feel like going out for a fun dinner with friends, check out Depot! Their service is super fast and our waitress was just hilarious. The food is amazing, especially recommend the Linguine and the potato skin. By far my favourite place in Auckland!
One of the best eateries around the city... Top class service and food ordered for a skirt steak, duck fat potato skins, turbot sliders and lamb ribs and oh boy! I must say steak... Cooked to perfection ribs perfectly marinated and flavorful turbot sliders moist n filling potato skins could be a bit skinnier... Loved the atmosphere around the place very lively great jobt dept team a sure shot come back n reco.
I used to love this place. Everything they make is absolutely delicious. But then I became vegetarian and realised how badly they serve this crowd. The waiter got us some special vegetarian sliders that wasn’t on the menu, which we appreciated. But other than that we were stuck with the side vegetables, which ended up being covered in bacon!
I’d love if they came up with some delicious vegetarian dishes too! For now Zomato shouldn’t point them as vegetarian friendly
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Came here on Good Friday with family for lunch.
We were seated by a very friendly and welcoming young man.
We ordered clams, oysters and lamb ribs from the Small Share Plates section.
Clams and oysters don’t get fresher than their ones here at Depot! I’m talking still-twitching-in-the-shell kind of fresh!
Lamb ribs were full of flavour and pulled right off the bone; crispy and tender at all the right places!
We ordered everything from the Big Share Plates;
Confit Duck with duck Liver parfait,
Crispy pork hock,
Grilled kahawai,
Skirt steak,
Squid ink parpadelle.
Duck was tender and the liver parfait was beautifully rich and creamy!
Crispy pork hock fell right off the bone and came with a thick sunny bed of yellow potato mash and a generous topping of cucumber salad. The vinegairette dressing really plays with your tastebuds! Cracking of the skin was beautiful too.
Grilled Kahawai WOW incredibly tender! And the eggplant is absolutely out of this world. It’s kind of almost pickled but not; an amazing burst of flavours on the palate. You can top up eggplant and toast free of charge.
Skirt steak was a little bit unexciting, but the tangy sauce it came with really elevated the flavours up! Meat was cooked to rare and was juicy m.
Squid ink parpadelle was generously topped with small clams. However it was lacking something because I really wanted to enjoy it! The sauce was subtle but creamy and I wish there was more to mop with the bread it came with!
Overall, good service and good food in very good portion sizes! My family was very satisfied with the food! The bill set us back by $215.
Food: 9/10
Price: 8/10
Ambience: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Depot is one of the busiest places in Auckland CBD - hard to find a table most nights and they do not take bookings for small groups! Outdoor and indoor seating available with heaters outdoors during winter months. Dishes are familiar but wonderfully full of flavour. The sliders are a real treat!! But if you are after a romantic dinner or good conversation over food, then Depot might be a bit too crowded with fast turnover.
Very fast paced service it does give that feeling of New York as it is a bit loud and busy. They do get full but it doesn't take long for a table to finish. Many places to sit, you could even sit and watch the chefs which adds more to the experience. They're famous for their oysters so do try they're amazing! Also their fries will send you to cheesy carb heaven!
Food was amazing! First time at Depot last night and was definitely impressed. Lives up to its high rating on Zomato.
Taste and presentation were both superb, although the pasta and potato skins did take a bit longer to arrive. It was quite busy though so I imagine the chef(s) has their hands full.
Staff was friendly and attentive, very professional. Plates and cutlery cleared frequently.
Atmosphere is great - very packed and you can see why. Amazing food for a great price, very reasonable and affordable enough so you can visit everyday.
Will definitely be visiting again.
Super Fresh Oysters!!! If you are a first timer like me, this place would ensure you don't regret giving oysters a try. Ended up trying all the variations available. Loved the share plates and the ambiance. Very Vibrant.
Food is amazing, staff are really nice, will definitely come back, highly recommend raw clam and pork hock, clams are fresh, pork hock is very tender inside and crispy outside, must try :)
One of the best places to havs dinner in Auckland. Professional staff offering kind service even in a vdry busy day, nice selection of wine and food.
Love the oysters, really fresh ones, the beef is great, they have a good selection of cured meat and the bone marrow is yummy, although I missed a sprinkle of fleur du sel. But that's the only thing to correct in a place that is a landmark in Auckland's food scene.
One of my favorite places in Auckland.
fantastic food, friendly staff, nice mood.
As it is so good, I have to wait in line almost everytime I visit. But it is worth it.
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At over five years of age, Depot is somewhat of a stalwart on the Auckland dining scene. From the stable of NZ celeb chef Al Brown and until recently helmed by Kyle Street (who has gone on to open Culprit on Wyndham St, at the site of the former Black Hoof), it’s casual and cosy, serving up Kiwi inspired seasonal fare.
This is hands down my favourite non Asian restaurant. The restaurant is affordable while still maintaining the high quality dining experience with premium ingredients.
You must order the sliders!! They are the BEST! The other food are great as as well, very clean and the kitchen is open so you can see what they are doing. Friendly staff and great coffee also 👍🏼👍🏼
Visited Depot on Sunday evening for dinner for two and was seated at the bar as it was quite busy. Highly recommend bar seating as the bartenders were excellent hosts and very attentive. The service was 10/10. Strong drinks, and the fish tacos and lamb ribs were mind-blowing. The skirt steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and the fresh clams were the best I've had. Would recommend to friends!
This place is amazing and i definitely want to come back. Tried the meats platter, kingfish sashimi and pork hock. The flavours are amazing and fresh and the service is warm and wonderful. Definitely deserves the praise it gets.
King fish belly with eggplant kasundi is a must try.
Oysters are very fresh and definitely worth it.
Lamb ribs are nice as well.
Potato skins as a side are quite good.
We came here for a quick coffee after dining elsewhere (where we didn’t trust the coffee). Strong and tasty coffee and really friendly service. The shellfish in the cabinet looked stunning so will have to come back here for a more substantial eat in the future. They delivered some complimentary breads and dips to our table even though we indicated we were only there for coffee ... nice one 👍🏼
I've been there on my birthday, have no idea what to order, then asked the bartender to order for us. Everything was perfect, the food, the quantity, the environment etc.
The oysters are so fresh, three different kinds of oysters taste different. The tuna and bun dishes are special, a new way to present their favor.
Under the sky tower, always full of people.
Although it's a little expensive, it worths and will go there again.
This is by far mine and my partners go to place - no matter how long we have to wait. The lamb ribs are out of control as well as the sliders. Have bought the cook book so hopefully I can bring some of these dishes to life at home!
Fantastic. Great food and you get a lot of food. You can’t book in so be prepared to wait or get there by 6pm. Would highly recommend this place. Not suited to children. Attentive service. Only complaint is parking options. Sky city is your closest option but it’s expensive. Have tried four small plates and three large plates on two visits and loved them all. Sugar pie is a wonderful caramel dessert.
Food was excellent and staff were friendly. The food was so delicious I forgot to take pictures. I am a fan of oysters so it was heavenly for me.
We had Orongo oysters that day which was light in flavor but the taste of sea was a little strong and works perfectly with the onion vinaigrette (I wana steal the recipe :D). The fish slider was the bomb, we ordered two more! The meat board surprised me. I don't normally order meat board but I'm glad I did. Especially loved the pig's head croquettes and rabbit rillettes. Skirt steak was...... go try it yourself. I felt like it was gonna be good whatever I ordered.
Definitely going back next time with more people so I can order more.
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After reading many reviews on Zomato, I was so amped to come and try this place out. The ambience was nice and food was amazing. Simple dishes executed perfectly. The flat bread to start off with was warm, toasty and very light with the spiced carrot dip. The oysters and clams were so fresh and sweet! Just perfect to have with a bit of lemon. The vinaigrette was a bit too strong and overpowered the lovely sweetness from the fresh seafood. Would of been good if there was salt and pepper to go with the lemon.
The snapper sliders were easily my fave and just FAULTLESS. The fish was so soft and it just melted in my mouth along with he beautiful creamy sauce, butter and texture of the buns. I could eat a dozen of them easily.
The potato skins were so crispy and perfectly seasoned. Lastly the lamb rib was AMAZING. A soft, my fork went straight through it. The fat from the meat along with the strong spices tied in so well with the entire dish.
Cant wait to come back and try out more dishes and definitely double up on the sliders next time round !!!
I was recommended Depot Eatery by a friend and this place did not disappoint! Attentive servicr and friendly staff who answered all our questions! Favourite dishes were the Potato skins and Squid ink linguine with the clams & chorizo.
Joshua Searell | Sous Chef
+5
Amazing place for casual dining, great food, great service, atmosphere is upbeat, great place for a good hangout drinks and sharing food, highly recommend it!
yap yap so famous restaurant～special list for oyters and mini fish burger🤗alway keep the line in all the time～local people、kiwi and british love this taste～
Never had bad experience on a number of visits.
My only gripe is that the waiters have a too cool for school attitude at times.
You doing a good job guys.. just stay humble
They serve the best coffee I've had ever. Honestly. Good vibe, the atmosphere was great, I like how you can eat in and out as well. Staff was nice and friendly
This place is amazing! The food is super yummy! We got turbot sliders, whitebait sliders, pork hock, oysters, lamb and potato skins. I definitely recommend the turbot sliders, oysters and potato skins 👍 it was so good we actually ordered two portions of the turbot sliders! We did have to wait a while because this place is super busy, so I defs recommend coming early to get a table :) the service was also super friendly as well :)
It was a good two year anniversary dinner. The proportion was just enough if you have had a big lunch. We ordered 5 oysters, lamb ribs and whitebait slides. I usually don’t eat oysters as they are raw, but tried one yesterday and i was surprised, their lemon and vinegar balanced the oyster very well. Lamb ribs and whitebait were simply amazing.
This place is packed but that is exactly what makes this place enjoyable. The food was phenomenal! My girlfriend and I went here for our 3 year anniversary and fell in love with this restaurant. We ordered oysters, wine, squid pasta with clams and dessert. The food, atmosphere, and service was amazing!
Depot Eatery And Oyster Bar is, as the name suggests, an outstanding oyster bar and restaurant from chef and restaurateur Al Brown. It’s all about seasonal, simply cooked share plates that are designed to be enjoyed with friends.
Our very favorite date night / day eats.
Definitely have our must order dishes and try out one new item each visit.
Sharing meals. So have only ever visited as couple & twice invited an extra.
Potato skins & lamb ribs are a must try
I’ve been this restaurant many times since year 2010, excellent dining experience. They serve very unique foods with exceptional taste. Friendly and attentiveness staffs. Only downside is always have to wait for table and foods. All foods we ordered on our last visit was great except the potato skin. Their potato skin was thin and crispy couple years ago but now is like getting thicker and the texture not as good as before. I might not order this dish anymore.
Soooooo good. Been there before at night with some high school buddies. This time we went at lunch, new experience, still VERY good. Love the food!
Everything we ordered was delicious, of such great quality and so fresh! Highy reccomend the oysters, sliders, marrow, skirt steak and the hock! Great food, great vibe and friendly staff
Waited for 20+ min for a table for 3, but their foods have proven worthwhile. My friends and I love every dish and we look forward to our next visit.
I tried to visit Depot a few months ago on my last work trip to Auckland but it was always too busy. Tonight I went early at 530 pm and by 6 pm it was packed. I had the kina cream donuts, the flank steak and the sugar pie. All were very delicious. The service was a bit off, my water wasn't refilled during the meal for example. But the food was outstanding
I was really keen to try The food at The Depot having read good things about it and being an Al's place. We got there at 6pm and the place was full, we left at 10pm and there were 30 plus punters waiting to get in .. On a Tuesday night. Great tapas and even better larger plates. Well created, great flavors, simple but so tasty and everyone commented how good the food was. Take a bow The Depot!
Potato skins, ribs and sliders ate literally perfect. Never order anything different because they are tried and tested deliciousness! Low key but with exceptionally made food.
Beautiful restaurant, really great service. Our server explained the menu beautifully and answered all our questions. The sliders were average, really oily. The skirt steak was DELICIOUS! Tender meat and crunchy onions - amazing 😍. We also decided to order the bone marrow (half portion) to try out, but thought it was pretty average. Bone marrow to bread ratio was off, needed more marrow for the bread!
Overall a good experience but nothing revolutionary.
I tried my first raw mussel here. Their mussels were very fresh, all of my friends really enjoyed them. But for me I will go for the grilled ones next time because the texture and the fishy smell of raw mussels are still horrible to me.
But I surely enjoyed the lamb ribs and the fish belly. Very tender yet not too oily.
The waitress was very attentive and helpful!
Went there last Friday afternoon. Planned to get the August restaurant month deal. Was advised that $40 deal in fact was a mistake. The minimum will be $80 for 2 sets. So we opted to order individual items. We tried some oysters which come with an overpowering sauce. King fish sashimi wasn't cut properly (seems like their knife is blunt). The squid ink linguini was too soft but the clam and the Chorizo sauce is tasty. Also the complimentary pita bread is dry and floury. Vibe is good. But with that money there are other better options.
Love this place! Service is friendly.
Impressed with wait times!
Enjoy the rustic environment & great advice re: food choices! Can't wait to come back!!
Eat here at least once a month, the food and service it exceptional and consistent every time
The potato skins and sliders are my favourite.
I'm a regular at Depot. Have been since the day it opened. What keeps me going back is the food. It's flawless. Everything is always so fresh and just cooked to perfection. It amazes me how the chefs are so consistent. Sliders, skirt steak, pork hock and potato skins are a fav as is the doona at breakfast time. Yum yum yum!
I can literally live off of these sliders.
Sliders for breakfast? Yeap
Sliders for lunch? Yeap
Sliders for dinner? Yeap
Sliders for dessert? Yeap
That is how goddamn delicious these little bites of heaven are. Perfectly sauced and the fish is always so tender. Every single time I've been here, these sliders are the highlight and never fail to disappoint.
The purple sauce they give with the bread is also really interesting and delicious too.
The oysters are very fresh and definitely worth a try.
The potato skins are delicious as well. In fact every single thing on their menu is delicious. I have had almost 3/4 of their menu and I can say that they have never disappointed me with a dish. Their eggplant kasundi is divine too.
If you only go to one restaurant in Auckland, let this be the one. They are always full and don't take bookings so it will pay off to go up early and get in line. They will call you when it's your turn.
Edit: I’ve had everything in their menu now and nothing is bad.
So much to love about this place! From the morning coffee with those delicious beignets through to the fresh shellfish, tortillas & pork hock. They do a great coffee & the wine list is varied. Great spot morning, noon or night
Amazing ambience and great atmosphere with very proactive and friendly staff & service. Loved the bone marrow and the carrot and orange dip given as a starter. The burrata could've been done better but wasn't disappointing at all. Overall not a bad place to go.
I love Depot ❤️ their menu changes every day as they serve fresh & different regional oysters. I was amazed to try different oysters in a night. Also there were so many ways to enjoy oysters! Ohh try sliders!! They are addictive.
Great quality food and very good staff. The oysters were great and the pork was delicious. Only complaint is that the stools are a bit uncomfy to sit and eat off. Apart from that I would highly recommend.
Apart from being a bit pricy. This place has good food, drinks, and a great atmosphere. The oysters here were perfect and so was all the other food. Nice wheat beer also
If you haven't been to Depot yet, you're missing out.
Depot serves high quality, delicious food with great service. Situated in the heart of Auckland city, it's not surprising how busy it gets. It can get very crowded and space is limited, but the food does it justice. Not to hype it up too much but of the times that I have been there, food has never failed.
Food is designed to share, so going in a bigger group has an advantage as you just want to have a taste of everything from the menu.
Recommendations: Fish sliders & Pork hock
I've also tried the squid ink linguine, charred broccoli, bone marrow, meat board (all delicious!)
This place never fails me, always amazing food, it's my go to when I just can't think of where to eat. Love the sliders, tua tua, oysters, Hapuka belly, skirt steak, potato skin. The pork hock for me was an average dish the meat is slightly dry. The staff is honest and frank about your orders can always trust them to advise whether if that's enough for your table. They can also customise, the sliders can add an extra or take one away, you can also get half portion of lamb shoulder racks which I think is awesome if you want to taste everything but can't fit it all.
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Luckily, we came here accompany a famous HK Gourmet. And Depot is his first stop in this food&wine journey. So you can tell the important status that Depot has occupied.
On this sunny afternoon, people rushed into Depot, for a drink, for a relaxing chat, for a bite with the sea essence or like us, for the fresh Oyster.
One of the greatest achievement that Al Brown has made is changing the way New Zealander eating raw seafood. Due to his efforts and his foresight, we can have this opportunity to sit here, enjoying piles of shell fish, oyster, raw fish presented beautifully in ice. Walk closer, take a deep breath, breathe in the true flavor coming from the sea, and then make up the mind to savor it all. In terms of civilization, we have made outstanding progress; however, when it comes to food and the way we eat, it is a different story. Sometimes the original primitive way for food brings out the human nature. Isn't it?
I think our HK Gourmet Craig couldn't agree more. Sitting down in a long table with little plates in front of him, he asked us to start this taste journey together with him. The Oyster from Tio Piont is definitely a good start. Squeeze drops of lemon juice, a bit of sea salt flakes, then send it directly to mouth. Hmm, here comes the sea breeze from Marlbourgh Sound.
The king fish crudo is another surprise. Pink cuite king fish aroused everybody's appetite. Who wouldn't? Take a bite, the fresh tender texture, with a bit sweet and sour flavor from the lemon was perfect. Blessed that Auckland is a city with seaport, we can enjoy this freshness from sea to table.
Yes, beyond all the sophisticated cooking techniques, best quality fresh food element is the key issue. Depot has presented a right way for people to understand this simple truth.
Federal Street in the central city is just bursting with foodie delights just waiting to tempt you. Which one will you choose? From Tapas to Japanese to Italian the choices are endless. But how about an oyster bar?. Depot Oyster Bar is the brainchild of chef Al Brown and is a fast paced place to grab a bite. Getting a table is a bit of a challenge but we assure you it is worth the wait. A busy, bustling atmosphere awaits you when you walk in and we suggest you try as much of the menu as you can and share amongst friends.
Always on point. Great food and attentive staff. Make sure you try the Snapper wings, only available during autumn/winter. Turbot sliders and pork hock are also not to be missed too.
This is one of my favourite joint. I adore their clams, services are great and delicious food. Can get busy and waiting time if you are on the waiting list can be a bit of a hit and miss.
Lively atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff, beautiful presentation of the food and my partner loved his oysters. I like how they print the menus every day and their wines were top notch. I had the vintage rosé 2014 and it was beautiful.
Waited well over an hour just to get a table(bar seat) for two, however so worth it. We ordered a plate of lamb ribs, they were not marinated for long enough or just didn't quite hit the spot with a substantial amount of fat (so not really worth the money), however the squid ink and clams are a must try and they flavours are really spot on. The vibe here is bubbling with happiness and is suitable for all occasions. Staff are calm and take the time to help us choose/explain the menu.
Food was delicious when we got it but terrible customer service and a very busy night so they seated us outside in the corner, not sure if this affected us getting food faster or not. We waited for a long time to get our food and then our dessert order was forgotten as well. They made up for it though by putting in another dessert for free. Average experience.
Great food experience with excellent customer service. The staffs are friendly and made sure that we felt welcome.
Their crispy pork hock is a must try!.
Will definitelly go back.
Wowza. Just had dinner at this trendy bustling little venue and the food was unreal! Had the best beef brisket taco with onion and sour cream that I've ever tasted!!! Had a huge serving of potato skins covered in shaved Parmesan and served with ranch dipping sauce. Little corn on the cob smothered in chili sour cream and Parmesan, these were a winner! And lastly some lamb ribs which were so tender and the fat had caramelised so beautifully. Wonderful food and fantastic friendly service.
Was inevitably going to give this place a 5/5 because any time I visit a new eatery I compare it to Depot. That must say a lot. I'm in love with you, Depot. Get the lamb ribs, get them.
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Delicious and fresh! Dining at Depot is a real treat, always leaves us wanting more. I was lucky enough to have been able to sit right by the kitchen, watching how the team works, and having the chef hand us our dishes himself.
Usually we love to start with some clams and/or oysters which are always bursting with freshness and the chardonnay sauce pairs with them so well. My friend who wasn't a fan of mussels absolutely loved the Coromandel mussels dish with bacon and croutons. Grilled kahawai was beautifully cooked, garnished, and seasoned to perfection. They do lamb especially well, my favourite small plate there is lamb ribs with cumin oil. Lamb neck was fork tender and exploding with flavour, but beware as it cools down and the fat solidifies rather quickly (an unpleasant conclusion). The pork hock is usually a reliable main to order with its crispy crackling and juicy, tender meat and delightful salsa verde accompaniment (however, the meat was dry once). I thought the duck fat yams were just okay.
Service pretty fast and always friendly no matter how busy they are. The place is always packed so be prepared to wait especially if you're in a bigger group.
Enjoyed ciders and light afternoon snacks (late lunch) inside. Friendly, attentive service. Tasty morsels include the fish sliders in very light bread rolls with a citrusy mayo, and grilled peach and prosciutto salad with a tangy balsamic dressing. Depots famous 'sugar pie' to end - best you share unless you want a sugar overdose, tasty nonetheless. Would visit again to try more of the good looking menu options.
The food here is amazing, would 100% recommend. I've been here quite a few times and I've never been disappointed by anything. The place is definitely too small though.
Came for breakfast after waiting to try this place for months, and the only disappointment is that I came on my last day of my stay in Auckland. Faultless service, and despite not being spoiled for choice the bacon and egg doona was a must. Tasted ten times better than its faultless, simple but appetizing plating! Worth a visit. Wish I had a chance to try their dinner/ lunch menu as well - if it is anything like their breakfast, it will be a definite treat.
A friend recommended eating here and the deli when we were visiting Auckland. Bit of a wait for a table but it was definitely worth it. We had oysters, meat board, sashimi, potato, broccoli, hapuka? fish and beef tacos. Everything was exceptional, dishes were perfectly timed, service was great, can't wait to try the deli now.
I went to Depot on New Year's Eve and it was very busy, but service was still decent and accommodating. I ordered a small NZ meat board. It was all pretty good although I wasn't too sure what everything was, despite the server pointing out each item and having the menu to refer to. It came with lots of mustard and some nice pickles.
I came for dinner with two friends on a Tuesday night. Thankfully we did not have to wait for a table or our food for to long. We came for the oysters and they were delicious! We also ordered the sliders, potato skins, tortillas and grilled peaches. Everything we ordered was so tasty we will definitely be returning again. The customer service was good too.
This place would've received a 5/5, however it was just so dam crammed! We were genuinely struggling to fit 4x drinks and one main dish on the table along with our plates.
However...
The price was well below the quality of food we received! The food here was absolutely on point! I am so skeptical when it comes to seafood, but after trying the Fish Sliders, Squid Ink and Oysters, I was left speechless and my palette was satisfied. We also ordered the Pork dish and the Chicken dishes, both had super delicious crackling (pork was my favourite)!
The staff are wonderful, always there to check up on you, suggest good drinks (we went for the Pilsner) and food to order!
Well done team! Would definitely bring work teams and friends back here again!
Found this place on the way home when I just moved to Auckland. Absolutely love it. Have been there many times always enjoy the food and the services. Going to miss it when move back to Wellington.
My first time went there with all 8 of us. So I get to try lots of great dishes. Very fast eating restaurants, if you want to sit down and have a long time no see catch up, it's not possible here. I love all of the dishes, especially the tiny fish burgers, oysters, and the ribs. Also of course the dessert pie. I wished the chairs could be a bit more comfortable.
Top notch food ! + adequate service. We knew we were going in for something special from the waiting list on an ordinary weekday evening.
Waited around ~20 minutes and were seated right by their open kitchen - highly recommended.
Their squid ink linguine was my personal favourite. It was just perfect. Even the bread that came with it was such a lovely texture and was perfect to dip into their sauce.
The potato skins were also very good- but slightly greasy
Their steak skillet was just perfectly cooked but was not as exciting as the others.
And their SUGAR PIE is a must!!
Overall, loved your signature dishes and will definitely come back
Wonderful food. Inventive, fresh and delicious. My favourite place to eat at in the CBD. Decent prices but used to be cheaper. Potato skins are delicious, but too thick for my liking. They were thin and perfect the first time I got them though. The sliders are delicious. The linguine was tasty. Yummy snapper wings. Fresh flavoursome oysters. They have great complimentary pita bread and hummus - which changes frequently in flavour which adds an element of surprise and fun each time we visit.
If you’re looking for a fantastic dining experience complete with delicious food, brilliant service and a great atmosphere, then head to Depot now!. We were a party of five on a bustling Friday night. It was incredibly busy when we (my sister and I) arrived at 6pm, so we were put on the waiting list. Due to our other friends arriving late, we didn’t sit down until 7.30pm. [Note that your whole group has to arrive before they seat you]. If we were at any other restaurant, we would have left, but this was Depot and we were all dead keen to try it out!
Always busy, this spot is worth the wait for a table. The restaurant doesn't take bookings so take that into account when going. It's best to go in and get your name on the list and grab a drink nearby while you wait for a table.
You have to have the freshly shucked Oysters. Also, the Kingfish Sashimi. Be aware that if you go later on in the night, you may miss out on the Sashimi all together as it sells out.
A great starter is the Bone Marrow and Bread 👌🏽 So buttery and tasty. The bread is cooked on the chargrill and can be a little too 'toasted', but doesn't take away from the fact that you're eating soft delicious marrow.
We also had the Beef Brisket Tortillas which were amazingly delicious. Messy to eat but delicious. Great smokey chipotle flavours. Also suggest the skirt steak. You're welcome
Great coffee, friendly staff and a menu that's reminiscent of a great New York or Melbourne eatery. The turbot sliders were to die for! It's nice to peruse the cookbook collection while you dine, too :)
Delicious food and great service! A good choice for a relaxed lunch or after work snack. We ordered a selection, I didn't love the lamb but my husband did.
Hang overed? it's a good place to eat bacon and egg roll! it just melts on your mouth! Taste good and it's convenient location just next to sky tower. Highly recommended! They also have oyster shot if you're up to it!
This place definitely has very good oysters. We tried all of them and ended up getting half a dozen more of the bluff oysters as it was so good! They were definitely fresh and you can see them being shucked at the oyster bar, try the clams too. If you are adventurous, do try the bone marrow as it is very very good and flavourful. Mind blowing meat platter too.
The service is always fast and the waitress/waiter is always lovely.
If you are ever early enough please try their breakfast items!
Tonight we had the Pacific Oysters which were juicy and salty, alongside a selection of clams which were from Marlborough and had a sweet tang to them. To split off for mains I had steak lathed in a delicious tobacco sauce, really great dish. Fine dining experience was something special, but the atmosphere was very very busy and there was a screaming baby which disrupted our table, it's completely understandable to get kids becoming anxious but there was no reaction by staff when we asked to be shifted to another table somewhere quieter. Fantastic food, lovely staff and excellent atmosphere.
This place has my fav dish in Auckland - the clams with squid ink linguine. Sooo good! Another amazing dish are their little fish burgers - best I've ever had! Great atmosphere, definitely a 5/5.
Really very good, usually extremely busy though so you need to book in advance or you probably won't get a table. The sliders and oysters are particularly good, staff is good, atmosphere is good. While it was good it wasn't anything extraordinary so while the staff and food were both very good I can't give it a 5.
5 people and our bill was 160. The food was awesome especially the boiled pork, the grilled fish belly and ofcourse the oysters and clams. The only thing i didnt like is the crowded place and the long wait. We had to wait for an hour just to get a table.
This use to be one of my favourite place to come to eat but I found the standard slipping a little and the originality not kept up. The clam and squid ink linguini was far too salty. The pork hock is crispy and has classic Apple flavours. I enjoyed the gnocchi with the pumpkin and crispy kale. The platter of mixed meats is a good appetiser and of course how can I forget the famous hoki fillet sliders
My friends don't understand why Depot is so popular but after she tried the Oyster... OMG, the best ever! We went to Depot for the "Restaurant of the month" menu on the last day, to be honest I am already exhausted, so far I went out 9 times tried 8 different restaurants in Aug.... I do love Depot but I have to say the set menu is rip off! Two of us paid total $80 for 6 oysters + 6 clams + 10 tiny weeny king fish sashimi+ 2 wines, trust me, you'd better off to just order the dishes you want. Oyster is the must, but clam is very ordinary. I've went to Depot a few times and always will recommend the most popular food- fish slider & lamb ribs, trust me you will become a much happier person after having these.
Having dinner with mates that moved up from Wellington, so we decided to dine here since he stays in CBD. This place always pack and the food was delicious and nicely cook. We ordered clams to start, then sliders and fish wing, and mains were squid ink linguine and pork hocks with sides. If you in town and never been here, give it a go!
Well located in central Auckland CBD, Depot Eatery has a great fit out inside and out...
Depot Eatery is all about sharing, with a quick review of the menu this is evident as the vast majority of the selections are share only... which suited the group who I shred lunch with at Depot Eatery perfectly.
We enjoyed several of the smaller share dishes like hapuka sliders, cumin battered snapper tortillas, lamp ribs; coupled with skirt steak with tobacco onions, iceberg wedge & habanero mustard which was one of the large share dishes. All were sensational, and full of flavor.
Overall highly recommended, and a nice surprise from the beer menu was the Hapi Daze pale ale - give it a crack!
Location, location, location.
Situated at the foot of the Sky Tower, Depot is bang in the middle of the CBD and thus - can always rely on those temporary visitors gracing our street on a fleeting visit to fill the seats every night of the week - I think this shows.
The food was great, we had the filled Yorkshire puddings (I'm from Yorkshire and so had high expectations), the fish tacos and the sliced steak.
All 3 dishes were well presented and tasty but the serving sizes were smaller than we expected and they were served cold.
What left us truly uninspired was the service - and by uninspired I mean neglected.
If the food had found its way to us as soon as it hit the pass it wouldn't have been cold - and if the waitress hadn't dropped a serving onto the table in front of us we'dv enjoyed a larger portion AND if we hadnt waited for our 3rd dish 30 minutes after our first 2 had arrived we'dv left elated.
The food was good once it got to us.
Took my girlfriend here last weekend , ordered the sliders and pork hock with some potato skin on the side, the food was amazing the service was great. This restaurant would definitely be on my monthly to-visit place. :)
We went here for our company dinner. Had oysters, tuatua ham hock and sliders. And jugs of pinot noir. This place is off the hook - the food, was melt in your mouth stuff and the service just outstanding. We left a really good tip as a result. I think the best thing were the jugs of pinot. It's often difficult to find reasonably priced wine that is really good and this stuff was brilliant. Light and fruity and perfect for the meal and very drinkable. Will be repeating the visit.
Oysters galore! I love the very relaxed and very Kiwi atmosphere inside. Hate that they don't take bookings, but what do you do. Everything on the menu is delicious especially the PORK HOCK. Do not go without trying this and the oysters. Even their coffee is great. This place is hard to fault.
Lylia Xu (LYLI3009 Use This To Get 20%off For Your Gold Membership)
+5
Next time I will definitely order large size cauliflower! I burnt my mouth while eating the potato skins as I couldn't wait to let them to cool down! Yummmmmmmm!
Lovely restaurant, went for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon and got a table straight away. Food was all delicious, can't pick a favourite. A little pricey, but that's Auckland CBD. But worth it overall, its quality stuff!! 👍
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Depot, the household name of Restaurants in Auckland.
Auckland Restaurant Month, the best annual ceremony of real foodies in Auckland.
Last night, my friend and I visited there for getting some firsthand experience with their special August two course dinner.
After I had a seat, staff just brought me a 4 pieces free bread with dip. What a great mouth-feel of fair-grilled bread! It was not salty and made lots of sense with tasty dip.
We ordered their special August 2 course dinner for $ 80.00 which included 6 raw oyster, 6 raw Tua Tua, one kingfish sashimi dish and two glasses of pink bubbles. All raw food materials were very fresh. But I do not recommend this special course personally. If you do not love bubbles very much like me, why not just order the raw seafood for $59.00, and spend all rest budget on other main dish? Absolutely, it will be a much better option.
Even, the portion size of special course was not big enough to cover two person for a regular dinner meal. So we had to order one NZ Meat Board for $ 34.00 and one Potato Skin for $ 10.00 Both two dishes were fresh and tasty. I love the cheese on the top of potato skin.
Staff were very friendly to diners, excellent service and decoration was original.
But, there is always a but, the high chair was uncomfortable, even a little bit shaky.
I have been wanting to go here for years but the hubby hates closed in spaces. 10 min wait for a lunchtime meal gave us time for a little shopping down queen street. Ordered the yams, gnocchi & fish tacos. Would give yams a miss next time but the rest Delish. Still unsure of wine in tumblers but I guess it tastes the same? Great service. A must go to restaurant.
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This place is definitely one of my favourites 💘
When I first walked in it gave me that retro rustic vibe. Like it was straight out a movie set.
There was an hour wait for this and I believe no advanced bookings buuuut it ended up being okay in the end since we were all coming from different places.
The service was great. I love how they take your coat. The menu was good, easy to read and everything we ordered was just exactly that.
The food omg the food. It was definitely somewhere you go to not just for the ambiance ( although it's hella good as well).
They give free pita bread and hummus as well in the beginning. I mean I love free food but this was yummy as well. I couldn't stop myself from eating it haha
My favourites were the pork hock, fish sliders and the lamb ribs !
It was just an entree but honestly those fish sliders... I've had a few sliders before and these are honestly the best. And strangely it's down to the bread. I couldn't get over how amazing the bread tasted ?! How weird is that HAHAHAHA.
The ribs omg!!! It was a serious gotta-take-a-minute moment. It just melts in your mouth and makes you feel all gold inside haha.
The pork hock was surprisingly good in the fact that I would not have expected as much from that description. It's got crispy skin and lots of pork.
The potato skins are heaven (although I thought burger burger was better) buuut the two foodies with me said that depot is definitely better so you have got to give it a try as well.
This is pricey. It came to $150 including a wine for us three so definitely looking at $40 each. We managed to finish everything but we can eat... Soooo if you probably won't eat so much this might be an algood price point for you. Or maybe just a once a pay weak kind of thing- like it is for me hahaha.
The sugar pie! Omg so good ! It reminded me of Pumpkin? But it's just the caramel/ toffee flavour coming through. It's so good you have to try it :)
In all, I highly recommend this place ! Buuuut due to wait times and pricing it does mean I would go somewhere else. But if you get the chance definitely give it a go. You can just go for a gamble or walk around town while you wait haha.
One of my favorite dinner spots! They don't take bookings and there is always a little wait over dinner time but is definitely worth the wait. Service is always welcoming and efficient even when they are super busy.
Ambience and atmosphere is loud and alive.
My go to would be the freshly shucked oysters, the hapuka sliders and the squid ink linguine.
All dishes are super tasty and you won't be disappointed.
Came here for dinner due to such good reviews. The place was packed!, we had to wait half an hour but once ready we were notified and seated promptly. The service was excellent! Very helpful and constantly attentive. My partner and I ordered the fish sliders to start. They were fresh and simple, no complaints there but nothing amazing neither. I ordered the steak with their own mustard sauce, salad and fried onions. This came out pre-sliced, cooked perfectly and tasted good with the mustard sauce. The highlight though had to be the yams with creme fraiche. They were full of
Flavour, soft and complemented the steak (and i would assume any other meat) quite well. Overall this place does have some fantastic aspects, the meals were as expected and a good dinner overall. Remember though to not be expected to be mind blown.
Very nice! Every dish so nice! Raw dishes were fabulous - oyster, clams and kingfish. The kingfish belly was a recommended dish and was generous size with a surprisingly great aromatic mix. The chicken was tender and succulent. Ordered seconds of the oyster and clams. Service is very friendly and helpful!
Just stopped in for breakfast and coffee. Staff were really efficient and the place has a good buzz about it. Coffee very good and the bacon and egg roll was amazing, I have been back for another and will go again. Keen to try it out at night too ...
Consistency at the tops levels in every aspect. No wonder why this place is packed even on a cold, windy, rainy winter Monday at 9:30pm!! One of my favorites for sure!
Best oyster in Auckland! Not sure how they deal with their oysters but def much better than everywhere else! The fish sliders were really good as well! The fish inside are juicy and the toasted, buttery bun is so nice! Just nice! I can eat the whole plate at a time!
Dined here for dinner on a Saturday night we didn't have to wait and we got a table right away! Service was excellent waiters/waitress were very attentive and friendly despite the place being busy. food wise I am giving it 4/5 because I felt the flavours were on the "safe" side, but my husband is giving it 5/5 as he prefer subtle flavours. We ordered pacific oysters (I was a little disappointed as they were pretty small and pricey), Mini Fish sliders (very nice), skirt steak (the best dish), linguine was "ok", potato skin (no dip so felt it was dry and hard to finish) for two people with those food and wine it cost about $140 for two people. Overall it's a great casual place to dine, great ambiance and vibe and will be back!
Finally got to go for lunch today. Awesome experience. Very friendly and attentive staff. We had the sliders, taco, Brussel sprouts and pork hock. All amazing but that pork hock is out of this world! Amazing crispy skin and the apple and horseradish salsa verde is such a good compliment to it.
Sugar pie, sugar pie! Definitely a winner for sure but that's no secret. Came here after a show at 10.30pm Friday night and got seats for two easily. Love that they're open late.
I come for the pie and the availability of bluff oysters when no one else seems to be offering in May. On the dinner / savoury side of things I know you're paying for the cost of inner city rent so not value for money for me. Also 3 out of 5 dishes were a hit which is too low given the prices and expectation. Not the first time dining here either and same results last time.
Depot was great. Except the fact that we chucked a 45 minute wait, but is was so, definitely worth it. First up was the Oysters, ($4 each) they were small, but packed a whollop. It tasted just like what an oyster should have tasted like. Then it was the bread & salami. It was great with the rhubarb (i think is was) sauce, a pickle and a drop of mustard. After that was the bone marrow. They gave you two half bone marrow, bread, and salad. You're supposed to spread the bone marrow on the bread and top it up with salad. It tasted great, but after a few it started to taste too fatty and oily. There was also the fish burgers, which was packed with flavour and awesome! There were a few other dishes that also tasted tops. Overall, it was pricy, was definitely worth the money for an occasional eat.
Really loved this place. Great service. I had some amazing oysters here - they were so fresh, plump and juicy! Also ordered the NZ meat platter and really enjoyed it. Would definitely return.
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I love depot. I love everything about it. The customer service is amazing and I've never been let down, I once accidentally dropped a fork and a waitress had ran to pick it up for me! Made my whole experience.
The lamb ribs are to die for, I get them every single time, and the skordalia mash just tops it off, also do you see how it just falls apart?!? The Woodfire roasted chicken was so moist (even the breast!). Depot's squid ink linguini is the main reason why I visit every time. For anyone who's afraid of it tasting too fishy - do not worry, it tastes like normal pasta. The juicy clams are always cooked perfectly and taste clean and fresh.
The only reason I'm rating a 4.5 is because of tiny inconsistencies in the food. Just to name one example, the first time I had the potato skins they were bland and dry, the next time they were the fluffiest and tastiest pieces of potatoes I've ever put in my mouth. But even when it isn't cooked as perfect as I've tasted in the past, it's still better than most places and definitely worth the value. You will never leave hungry!!
Edit: I just remembered the ranch dressing and then changed my mind and had to rate it a 5 just for the ranch. I bought the depot recipe book for that ranch dressing. I have no regrets.
Another win on federal street. they don't take bookings so don't go at peak time or be fussy about sitting at the bar or the kitchen, which I actually think is the best seat in the house! water and comp pita with dip is served promptly. Menu is sharing plates and wine is served in tumblers. Such a cool vibe and fun place. Great attentive service. Food is 👌 turbot sliders and potato skins are consistently amazing and never disappoint. Tried the kingfish sashimi which was melt in your mouth, definetly a new fav. The kumara were sweet, well cooked and seasoned. Great place to show off to visitors to auck
After a glass of wine and some Tapas at Bellota for Happy hour, I popped across the street to Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar. This was a recommendation from a friend who is from New Zealand and I was certainly steered in the right direction! Right near the Skycity Tower, Depot is owned by Al Brown, a well known Kiwi chef, author and restaurateur. After looking him up, I was very intrigued to find out that he also owns the Federal Delicatessen next door and Best Ugly Bagels, which interestingly serves Montreal-style bagels. I may have to venture over there before I leave.
Good food nice atmosphere , love their clam pasta , my favorite are their sugar pie dessert and potatoe skin. However there's always a long wait so better be there early .
Went to Depot for lunch on a Wednesday. Service was ok as they were quite busy but complimentary bread and dip set the tone. The hapuka sliders were great and the selection of sides including iceberg lettuce and roasted veges complimented the dish very well. Would definitely return to try more dishes on the menu
Stumbled upon this place as we were walking towards a coach for an early morning Hobbiton tour. The place was very busy so we decided to enter. They had a great menu but because of the time we came it was a very limited breakfast list. Myself and partner had the bacon & egg brekky roll and it was good. Would have preferred a few more options but the coffee we had more than made up for it. Great service too!
We went Depot Eatery for a late night snack at 9.30ish, and this place was still packed with people. Food was amazing, pity that hey ran out of oyster that evening >,< but we got to try raw clams, I loved it! Dishes we ordered were Snapper wings and lamb ribs and a dozen clams! Strongly recommending the Snapper wings!
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We came to Depot on a whim, we read some good reviews about it and just happened to be in the neighbourhood.
We weren't very hungry so we only ordered a small plate and a bigger plate and no drinks. We ordered the Grilled coromandel mussels and the Pork hock. I'm not a fan of mussels, in fact I really dispise the fishy taste of them, thankfully the spices from the chorizo and garlic covered some of those fishy smell so they were quite enjoyable. The sauce from the chorizo were fragrant, savoury, and very moreish, I didn't hesitate to drink it up from the shells. Still not converted yet unfortunately. The pork hock was absolutely juicy and melt-in-the-mouth delicious. It is balanced nicely with the light and crunchy Apple salsa verde. We didn't think two dishes were going to be enough even though we weren't THAT hungry, but the meat was very filling and we were extremely satisfied.
The staff were very friendly and attentive to our needs and the overall ambience was very cool. If I have to complain, the lighting towards the end of the restaurant was a bit dim, and made a huge contrast with the sunny weather outside. I'm not a big fan of their water with ice cubes being served in metal cups either, it made their water taste very metallic and the experience of holding such cold cups a bit too chilly for my liking.
Overall although I'm not a huge fan of seafood, their dishes were thoughtfully prepared in generous proportions, and we are keen to try their other dishes next time.
Came with a table of four at 7pm on a Friday. 90 minute wait for a table but that was to be expected, so we went and had a few cocktails before dinner. The food was fantastic, with the half shell bluff oysters simply outstanding and fresh as can be. Turbot sliders and Hapuka belly were the other highlights. Good service with knowledgable waitstaff. The only thing I found strange was the wine in a cup, but hardly an issue.
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Depot is so well-known among Auckland foodies it needs no introduction. For me, each visit here was a happy dining experience 😊 I love the outdoor seating on the sidewalk and the busy atmosphere. The staff is smiley and energetic, never let me and my friend wait long for a table. My usual order here are skirt steak, fish sliders and the potato skin. The fish sliders are so so good, although they are really small (one bite size) and sometimes there are 3, sometimes there are 4 of them on the plates which confuse me a little. The skirt steak is the highlight of every meal, tender and delicious, along with the ice lettuces and the deep fried onions. The potato skin is just a side dish but it's totally worth every penny. I also had the lamb ribs once and even though I'm not a big fan of lamb, I must say it was quite tasty. Depot has a bar area and a wide range of wine and cocktails, but I would love to see a variety of other non-alcoholic drinks on the menu. Overall, an awesome choice for lunch in city central ❤️
Unforgettable taste.. Awesome ambience
We have tried the Turbor slider and the Lamb ribs. Both were awesome.
Will surely come back again to try the other menus...5/5
The ambiance is awesome and i just love the food. This is a place that im really looking forward to get back to. The service was great even though it was busy. I highly recommend this place
I have been to The Depot twice and still think it's one of the few places that I would like to return to in no time. Food is always good and the atmosphere is very casual. The menu is relatively small and haven't changed much during my two visits- some more variation according to the season would be good. The price is actually very reasonable considering the quality and size of dishes. But be prepared to wait at least a hour.
Depot is a busy restaurant and oyster bar opposite Sky City. Its industrial rustic style decor with high tables lets you know that you're in for something different. Outdoor tables in the sun are quickly snapped up. There were three items on the breakfast menu today and the coffee (Havana) was good. We passed up the toasted muesli and instead shared a bacon and fried egg doona then warm beignets with passionfruit curd. The beignets were beautifully light and puffy, lightly dusted with icing sugar. Delicious! Our service was good even with a full house. I'll definitely be back for dinner next time I'm in Auckland.
The food in general is amazing, the place is not very comfortable. They serve the best lamb ribs I've ever tasted and they're wine menu is good.
One of my favourite and precious memories in Auckland involve oysters and wine at Depot. It's always a gamble on finding seats at such a popular place on Federal Street. We were lucky to have come at just the right time, with no waiting around necessary. The packed eatery is buzzy as always, the waiters and diners constantly moving about you. But it's a lively feeling, and not at all disagreeable. Not with good wine and good food and good company. What could go wrong? One of those nights where everything went splendidly, a lot better than you could have imagined.
Great atmosphere and exceptional service. Dined with a friend for lunch and we were seated in less than a minute. Staff are knowledgable and make great recommendations. We ordered the small meat platter and the steak and it was delicious.
We came to depot for a midweek long lunch and it did not disappoint. We ordered two small plates, one large plate, and two sides for three people, followed by a cheese at the end. Everything was spot on, the potato skins and the bone marrow being the highlight. The service was great and not over bearing, and the was reasonably priced.
Great atmosphere to a lovely themed restaurant! Went for a early dinner and shared 2 dishes plus oysters with a friend. The mussels were gorgeous as were the lamb ribs! Melted right in my mouth. Would highly recommend 👌🏼
Yes it is always busy but there are plenty of places around to get a drink and wait for the phone call for your table. Factor this into your night. Portions are small but the flavours are flawless. Get some oysters and some kingfish - you won't be disappointed. Still a little unsure of wine in a tumbler but i'm sure it will grow on me.
As good as any casual eatery in the World I reckon - friendly staff, outstanding small plates and takes on classic kiwi food as well. Atmosphere when it's not packed is very laid back. Peak times expect to have a wait on your hands - that comes with the best in class - Al Brown at his best
Good but not great.
Service on a busy Thursday night was excellent.
A little on the expensive side for the size of the dishes.
Flavours at some points a bit complex.
The brisket soft tacos were excellent. As were the fish sliders.
Mussels were average and had very little added flavour. The pigs head croquettes were nice but too few were served. Chicken was bland. The beer list is very limited - mostly overrated craft beers.
It's was PACKED on a weeknight so be prepared to be crammed in.
Would return but only if it was what the group wanted. Not ideal for a quiet relaxed dinner.
Awesome place. Love the lively atmosphere. It's quite busy (many had to wait in line for tables, a positive indication of its popularity I'm sure). We were lucky enough to get in without having to wait; I guess the trick is to get there earlier before the crowd forms. The staff were very friendly. And the food tasted pretty good. We had three small share plates, two big share plates, and one side dish between the four of us. At first I thought the portions were quite small, but turns out they were just right (especially as we got to eat a bit then chat while waiting for the next lot of dishes to arrive). Would love to go again sometime!
This is a to go place with your friends. The restaurant is nice and have good music. Although the 4 of us didn't order from the raw section i.e. oyster and clams we ordered 3 small plates and 2 plates along with one side dish. All these food were for sharing between us. The pace at which they serve the food was perfect we ate, talked, ate some more and felt fuller and fuller gradually. All the food were yummy (at least the ones we ordered) I will definitely recommend the bone marrow it was delicious with the bread the salad. The staffs were friendly so the whole dinner was enjoyable.
Definitely my favourite meal in Auckland. I had the squid ink linguine with clams which was divine. I would definitely recommend this place if you can get in!
As I live in town we go here all the time and its a personal favourite. Do not miss the fish sliders, skirt steak, sugar pie for dessert or the bacon & egg doonas if you're dropping by for brekky!
If you’re looking for a fantastic dining experience complete with delicious food, brilliant service and a great atmosphere, then head to Depot now!. We were a party of five on a bustling Friday night. It was incredibly busy when we (my sister and I) arrived at 6pm, so we were put on the waiting list. Due to our other friends arriving late, we didn’t sit down until 7.30pm. [Note that your whole group has to arrive before they seat you]. If we were at any other restaurant, we would have left, but this was Depot and we were all dead keen to try it out!
Always in Metro top 50. I have been Depot many and many times. Almost perfect every time. Very hard to find the restaurant to always keep taste same level every single time in Auckland. But here it is. Superb
Service: 4.5/5
Wait time: 4/5
Environment: 4/5
Food Quality: 4.5/5
Food Quantity: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Overall: 25.5/30
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One of my all time favourite restaurants. Delicious food in a casual setting with awesome service every single time.
The complimentary warm pitas with bean dip were soft and slightly sweet. A great appetiser.
The freshly shucked oysters from the oyster bar were juicy and succulent. Their turbot sliders melted in your mouth - warm bun, mayo, watercress and turbot. Slider perfection.
The crispy potato skins with melted cheese were carby goodness.
The skirt steak was cooked perfectly. The crispy onions also melted in my mouth. Eaten with the steak and their house mustard, this was steak heaven.
Finishing off on a sweet note, their sugar pie is not to be missed. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It is quite sweet though so one to be shared.
Depot is always busy and noisy. That doesn't mean you don't get great service - the staff are friendly, attentive and your food comes out quick. If you're not prepared to wait, come before 6.30pm to avoid the wait list. Honest to goodness good kiwi cooking.
After hearing all the vibes and since we are here for 2 nights, SO!!! after telling us that we have to wait for 1.5 hrs when we arrive at 8pm, we decide to give it a shot! And thanks to Depot, we had a wonderful bubble at the nearby Tapas Bar! ;)
Clams oysters fresh as it is! They are fresh, we r in nz, it should be!! The Tua Tua, sweet and tasty, fantastic! The kingfish sashimi & Bloody Mary oyster, perfect to end the raw dishes experience!
We only tried the small plates as we were not too hungry. A few dishes likes Hapuka sliders, beef briskets, they r great. But I have to say, omg! The bone marrow is really outstanding!! Eating it with the Italian parsley, onion & lemon juice on top, hmmmm super yummy!! I believe this is a must try dish!!
Downside - waiting time! But at least they r fair, everybody have to wait.
Service - also good.
Ya! Tables are very small! 😄😄
A favourite, every item was perfect. The oysters here are the best in Auckland, freshly shucked, too good. Those lamb ribs..melt in your mouth. Flavours very well balanced.
Definitely a top pick for favourite eatery in Auckland. The only recommendation i'd have is, we didn't realise some of the food we ordered came from the bar kitchen and some from the main kitchen so the food came out at a completely different times which was a little annoying. The service could be picked up a bit, the waitress didn't seem to know too much about the menu - but it is primarily a bar, so a minor issue.
Can't wait to come back.
Overview: A great place for shared dishes and for relatively unique and esoteric dishes.
Pros: Great service and food. The food in particular, as was already mentioned, is esoteric and would not appeal to the general diner, but would definitely be appreciated by the more adventurous. In spite of this, there are still a number of dishes, alongside the raw oysters and rabbit, that could be appreciated by anyone.
Cons: May not be appropriate for anyone on a budget. Also you are not able to reserve tables, which could prove to be inconvenient.
Miguel Sanchez Robertson
+5
Love this place. A must stop in place on every Auckland trip for some oysters, white wine and rose'. I have never had oysters this good in my life and this latest trip did not disappoint.
Definitely pop in when you're in NZ.
Good low key vibe, attentive service and delicious, fresh food. You can tell a lot of love goes into the place and it seems like there is a lot of locals hanging out. Definitely recommend for a light lunch or sharing plates and drinks. Sliders and oysters both yum!
Youonlygetoutwhatyoupoutine
+4
For oysters... This crew can't be beat. I typically enjoy downing 2-3 oysters maximum, but these bad boys actually make me lick my lips for more! Stunning presentation and a feel that is reminiscent of Montreal's Joe Beef. Teeny criticisms are that the service could be slightly more accommodating, the bone marrow bones could be a little bigger and I would have chosen a different bread to accommodate. Overall though this eatery is a winner and if you are trying to convince your Australian boyfriend (who is an Ex Head Chef) that NZ oysters are off the chain I can't think of a better joint for bragging rights.
We had an awesome early dinner here--the place definitely lived up to its reputation. It was never packed inside and we got a table right away, but right after we arrived (just about right at 6 on a Friday) there was a huge mass of people and it looked like some waited for quite a while, so you should show up early or expect to wait.
The food was well balanced and had great flavors. We ordered:
-Waiheke oysters on the half shell (delicious)
-tequila ceviche (solid)
-snapper wings (super deep [southern] fried and a little hard to eat with all the bones and fins. I think there's a reason why fish wings aren't as common as buffalo wings)
-potato skins (very good, loved the cheese on top)
-courgette flowers (amazing, definitely a highlight)
-chocolate pudding (excellent, with a hint of fruit/berry)
-sugar pie (recommend by our waiter and extremely good)
Definitely need to check this place out if you're staying in the city; believe the hype.
Two of us had a long lunch there yesterday
The food was magnificent
From the Snapper Sliders to the Lamb Ribs
And all the way to the Pork Hock and Asparagus
The Beers Wine and Ports were rather good also
It has an interesting decor and atmosphere
A real mixture of people
Office workers tourists and families
Our waitress from Nottingham was quite excellent
I shall be back!
Defiantly one of the most deserving top Auckland restaurants! We went here twice in two days it was so good. Such a cute space a little chilly in winter but very friendly staff. Ordered the free-range wood roast chicken with Israeli cous cous, eggplant, yogurt! Which was a stand out for me so tasty an perfectly tender! The skirt steak also very juicy an those tobacco onion crisps a real treat! Highly recommend the restaurant!
Not too bad overall, most of the flavors worked well together. The waitress to was able to make a recommendation for the Taco's, Yorkshire puddings and Sliders as popular well known dishes we should try.
My criticism is that the Tacos and Yorkshire puddings share the same (or very similar) yogurt topping sauce which as a result unfortunately makes the two-dishes (which are quite different) share one quite distinctive flavor element.
Other than that, The Depot is worth a visit and will be keen to try again in the future.
Really enjoyed this place. Fresh clean flavours with simple presentation that allowed the food to speak for itself. The oysters were delicious, as were the fish tacos.
Depot is one of my favourite restaurants in Auckland for a few reasons. One, because they serve the most delicious food. Two, the staff are always welcoming and friendly. And three, I was never an oyster fan, but after trying them at Depot last year, I now love them!
I was so excited to hear that Depot would be at Taste of Auckland this year and of course, made a beeline for them as soon as I walked through the entrance! We ordered their oysters, which were fresh and perfect with a squeeze of lemon. We also had their tuatuas (clams) which were topped with a lovely sweet vinaigrette. Highly highly recommend Depot if you haven't tried their food already!
Have yet to visit the renowned Depot but jumped at the chance to try some of their offerings at Taste. The oysters were the best I've ever had, very clean finish. Have had clams before (not a big fan) but not the tuatua variety - they were brilliant. Much bigger than the usual clams, sweet and slightly chewy. Simple but my favourite at Taste! Looking forward to visiting Depot very soon.
Reasonably strong coffee to start the morning. Bacon and egg roll is definitely yummy. Convenient location just next to convention centre when you need a quick coffee.
If you would like to try the best Hapuka in Auckland this is your place. The potato skins are pretty yummy too. Such a great taste and so worth the wait :-) plan to go back for sure! Love the atmosphere and the wait staff are amazing. More often then not, Al will also serve you himself. A must try!
Posted: November 3rd, 2015 ˑ Filled under: Auckland, Food, New Zealand, Restaurants, Travel ˑ . Our first experience of eating out in Auckland was at Depot, one of Al Brown’s restaurants. Little did I know it at the time, but this was the start of my transformation into an Al Brown fan girl. I was actually looking for a good seafood restaurant and Depot came up in my search.
My second visit at this Refined establishment Firstly impeccable food presentation.waitstaff had executed really well with product knowledge good customer focus the 1/2 dozen oyster I had were great Natural and tempura. I have enjoyed the time spent there.with a 4.6 rating on zomato and the reviews from the public I would definitely be returning here again. Thank you
I eat here at least once a week, why because the food is incredible, service is great and the whole team is passionate about fresh food. The owner personally waits on tables, as a chef he is a NZ hero. Keep up the good work guys and thanks for all the glorious memories.
Best place to stop by for a quick bite and a drink.
The steak is a must have.
Always a good variety of clams and oysters.
Never take booking so always a wait but always worth it.
Just like many aucklanders me and my family love this place! So many little things that add up making it the perfect gathering spot: the vibe, the freshness of the shellfish, the heavenly fish sliders and the sugar pie... the quality of food never fail our expectation. This is where we keep going back even though the wait time is always an hour plus.
Amazing place to grab a quick meal in the heart of Auckland's CBD. The bistro is always busy, but do try the skirt steak and oysters Rockefeller.
If you are thinking of trying Depot, the only advice I'm going to give you is “goooooooooooooooooooo"
Went there for my anniversary and we had a fantastic night! The restaurant was packed at 5pm and we had to wait 45 mins for a table but definitely worth it!
My favourite was the raw bar! We ordered all the varieties, and they were fresh, crunchy, and sweet!
The skirt steak was tender and juicy, I don't normally like deep fried onion but the tobacco onion was crispy and additive. A perfect compliment to the steak.
The snapper wings were juicy and and flavoursome. Something different than our regular fish and chips.
The cocktails were amazing too!
Wasn't a huge fan of the potato skin, a bit bland for my liking. Also ordered the meat board to share but it never arrived, next time then :)
Staff was genuinely happy to help and friendly.
Overall a great experience. Everything was tasty, good quality ingredients, will definitely go and try more dishes!
Depot never lets me down! Sure the waiting list can be daunting at times (or most of the time!), but it is definitely worth it! Me and my boyfriend ordered a dozen oysters - which were so fresh and delicious! The beef skirt, pork hork, side of potato skin and the bone marrow. There was a bit of a mishap, the waiter forgot about our bone marrow and so we had to remind him again once we had already finished our other dishes. . .by the time it arrived we were already stuffed and sent it home in a doggy bag. The beef was a bit dry this time round but the pork hock and oysters definitely made up for it! The oysters here are seriously a must try! The potato skin was delicious - it's just potato but wow..... They were good! Our waiter recommended it to us so props for him! Once again thank you for a good night depot! We will surely be back again soon!
Great food, attentive and friendly staff..No reservations is a pain though, had to wait 1.5hrs....time easily killed at bar next door. Lamb cutlets are divine!
This is definitely one of my top three eateries of all time, with good reason. The service is exceptional and the wait staff are always attentive with clearing tables, refilling drinks and making sure you're enjoying your meal. The fact that it is always full of people who are willing to wait an hour or more for a table is a sure sign that it's worthwhile.
Last night we ordered the turbot fish sliders, the skirt steak and the grilled chicken. Although the restaurant was full to capacity, the food arrived within a short time. The sliders were absolutely delicious! I cannot stress that enough. Definitely worth trying. The skirt steak was cooked to perfection, paired perfectly with crisp fried onions and fresh iceberg lettuce. The chicken was tender and juicy and the yoghurt dressing went really well with it.
Overall the food definitely lived up to my standard and was well worth the price! Will be back for sure :)
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Possibly my favourite place on Federal street. Big call, but Al Brown definitely sets the standard here. There isn’t an option to make a reservation and you’ll find that people are willing to wait 1hour+ for a table and seriously, it never makes sense until you have the opportunity to try the food!
We were lucky enough to be seated immediately on the bar. A quick skim through the menu and we decided to sample the mutton yorkshire puddings w curried cauliflower, yoghurt and almonds, the bone marrow and the crisp pork hock w apple horseradish salsa verde. The yorkshire puddings were out of this world. The flavour of the mutton was well balanced with the yoghurt and was seriously a petite serving of deliciousness!! The pork was tender and the apple salsa verde was a great accompaniment.
Service is pleasant. Very quick and efficient. Nothing seems like too little to ask and they’re always more than welcome to help. Food is well priced - very very reasonable as the big share plates are actually quite big.
I'm already planning my next visit!!! 😍😍
Good beer, good food and if you are sat at the back you can watch the chef's do their work! Good service. Very popular so make sure you get there early for a table
This is a great place to eat but get there early as the tables go faster then road runner. I had the mutton yorkshire puddings which were fantastic. The crispy pork hock with apple salsa verde for main and it was some great tasting pig! The atmosphere was great and we were sat on a long centre high table while we watched eveything happen around us. The duck fat yam with sumac, mint, yoghurt, chilli and orange was so nice and a great side dish. A must if you are in Auckland.
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If you're looking for some yummy tapas to eat, then this is the place to go! The layout is an old vintage style, with high seats and tables for dining. The open kitchen gives a nice vibe to the place. My family and I were here for lunch a while ago, so their menu may have changed slightly! For lunch we ordered:
-Fish burger tapas: these were delicious! It reminded me of a fillet'o fish burger from Mc Donalds, but a fancier and better version of course!
-Kingfish sashimi: I have to admit, I think this was the best dish! The sashimi was so fresh and tasty, paired with an oyster cream!
-Lamb ribs with a hummus: These were so tender and just fell off the bone!
-Beef tortillas: These were alright compared to the other dishes. A bit spicy and messy for my liking
-One big plate of Kahawai fish with eggplant and toasts: This was my pick. the fish was huge! It was nice and tender with a crispy ski, but the skin was a bit too slaty for me. The eggplant paired perfectly with it. So moist and full of flavour!
-Side of potato skins: Pretty much every table had them, and we heard they were popular. They freshly peel the potatoes. Some were thick, and some were thin. Nice and crispy!
Overall we had a great experience. The service was excellent! We definitely noticed how good they were when we came back to Tauranga and ate at a place where we had to wait ages for our meal, and we had to keep asking for water top ups. The service at The Depot was fast and efficient, which made our meals enjoyable. I highly recommend this place, and because they serve tapas, we left the place feeling perfect, comfortable and not bloated! Definitely coming here again!
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#zomatonz was nice enough to give me a voucher to the Depot Eatery so I decided to go after class the other day to try out their breakfast menu! Luckily when we got there it wasn't full at all and we managed to get a table! We ordered two sets of the bacon and egg doonas, one order of the beignets and a mocha. We got our orders real quick! I fell in love with the doonas. The sauce was divine! Really goes well with the bacon and egg. The bread was really soft and fresh too! The beignets were good! I found it a tad dry though, and I wasn't a huge fan of passion fruit so I avoided that. I would suggest having more dip options for the beignets! The coffee was really good too! I thought the prices weren't bad either. For it's reputation as Metro Restaurant of the Year, i was surprised to find out that all their breakfast menu were priced at $10 or less! They may not have a lot of options in their breakfast menu but the taste sure does make up for it! Once again, thanks to #zomatonz and #depoteatery !
After hearing amazing things about Depot (hellooo Metro Restaurant of the Year?!?!?), we decided to go and try this place out. At 9:15am, the eatery was packed. Luckily, we managed to get seats outside. The menu was recited to us by two lovely waitresses: toasted muesli, bacon and egg doonas, and fresh warm beignets with passionfruit curd. We decided to try both the bacon and egg doona and the beignets, and we both ordered mochas.
The service and food were great! Nothing shy of federal street's reputation of high standards.
This was my first time eating here and I ordered the skirt steak, duck fat yams, Jaffa fudge cake and the gnocchi. Everything was cooked to perfection! Every little bit of it was very well made, you can just taste the quality and time that was put into making it
If i had to describe it in 1 word, it would be/: amazing. Had alot of dishes between the 3 of us and was happy with all of them. Stand out would be the mutton and the sliders for me. Alot of variety of meats which awesome. Great service to match. Very good dining experience. Would highly recommend it.
Well done Depot.@
It's hard to resist the charm of Al Brown's successes. Take Depot Eatery it's ridiculously always busy, houses it's very own raw seafood bar and dons a very affordable ($86.50 for dishes viewed) and deliciously kiwiana menu. My favourite was the squid ink linguine with 'cloudy bay' clams and 'akaroa' chorizo. The mash-up of seafood and sausage is quite an audacious feat but this absolutely hit the mark, with the moist flavours of the clams complimenting it's counterparts well. The smoked brisket tortillas were also fabulous, as well as the rest of the fare; just look at that humongous offering of 'freedom farms' pork hock. The atmosphere is cool and casual, waiters efficient and decorations retro. Though head in early or you may be waiting an eternity for a table, but that's hardly their fault that they're too popular for their own good.
Visited this place last week for the first time. We were warned about the wait time so my date arrived 45 minutes early just to reserve a table for us. Even at 6.45 on a Wednesday evening, the place was packed. We were seated on bar stools in front of the kitchen which, initially, was a little awkward, but it was nice being able to watch the chefs cook. We ordered the turbo sliders, wood-roasted chicken and cous cous, gnocci, and potato skins. Everything was delicious and well-presented. The service was also great - friendly and helpful. The potato skins were too much for us (we only had a few before feeling fit to burst), so our waiter waived the charge for it, which was really nice of him. I would highly recommend this place for a group dinner or date night. Well worth the money. I'm looking forward to visiting again :)
Turbot sliders and potato skins...LOVE!! These two dishes are my fav. Depot eatery is right on trend and is always really busy! It's quite condensed seating wise but this adds to the atmosphere. Staff are consistently friendly and attentive!
Always amazing food, service and ambience. One of my favourite places to go! I highly recommend the skirt steak with tobacco onions and the fish sliders
Awesome food :) This is My favorite place in Auckland.
Been there 5 times during my 4 week stay in Auckland, and this place never disappoints you!
Almost all the dishes are quite delicious, but I love the sliders, tortillas, gnocchi and slaw on the sides.
A must try place!
Very fresh daily comes claims and oysters. Also, the skirts steak is nicely cook, brown outside tender and juicy inside. -0.5 for the speed of delivering
Always madly busy, but definitely with the wait.
The business makes for a vibrant atmosphere, that really adds to the overall dining experience.
The food is always consistently good. Favourites include the skirt steak with ass kicking habanero mustard, the turbot sliders, flavoursome mini tortillas and the unforgettable sugar pie. Seriously the sugar pie is arguably the best dessert I've ever had. Words can't do it justice...just try it!
Depot is well worth the long wait!
Came here with friends and despite the 2 hour wait it was well worth it! We started with oysters (a must!) and moved onto the meat board (can't go wrong here!), fish sliders (delicious), Yorkshire puddings (awesome), bone marrow (moorish and incredible), and the Hapuka belly (so, so good!). All the dishes, including the various sides we had accompanying them, were fantastic.
All of the staff we encountered during our evening were an absolute pleasure. They were knowledgeable and efficient, and were great at engaging with us and being entertaining. Kudos to all of them.
Overall our evening at Depot was an absolute delight with the only negative being the lengthly wait, fortunately though it's easy to pop out for a drink and wait on Federal St
I love this place. I have been here many times now and am never disappointed and I always get to try something new on their changing menu.
Service is always good too. It's refreshing having people work in a restaurant that are actually interested in the food. Too often I go out to dine and ask the waiter about a dish only to get a shrug and a "I don't know". Not here.
My favourites are the oysters (this is the only place I will eat an oyster, these bad boys are super fresh) and the sashimi. Such a good combination of flavours and very tasty leaving you wanting more. The bone marrow is amazeballs too.
Favourites I have had in the past that I haven't seen on the menu again is the duck tongue popcorn and salmon wings.
Recently we had the mutton Yorkshire pudding and the gnocchi. Both excellent.
The sugar pie and cobbler is also to die for.
Always fresh, great service and the waiters have excellent knowledge of the wines on the menu. I love the open kitchen so if you can get a table down the back you can see all the action. I take all my friends who are visiting from overseas, as this restaurant really shows off nz european classic cuisine at it's best.
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Have been here on several occasions; suitable for a casual feed with the misses, friends or family - all have been impressed. Its small and a bit of a squeeze with no reservation policy so there can be a bit of a wait at most times of about 20-30min - you would
Find that most people are willing to wait for a table.
Overall the food here is amazing; oysters are a must as they are fresh and taste like they had been just picked from the ocean upon order.
The sliders' and tortillas' fillings change with the seasons but are consistently good. The fish tortillas were incredible this time around.
Bone marrow and squid ink linguini are also favourites.
We tried the oyster bloody mary shooters today- a bit pricey but definitely happy we tried it out as we are oyster lovers. Would have again next time def.
I wasnt a fan of the Yorkshire puddings however appreciated how the crunchy pastry just melted upon biting to deliver a rich soft flavour and texture.
There are plenty of small and large plates to choose from but I prefer having lots of little dishes. The shared plates are designed for groups of threes and would only be a few mouthfuls each so a few dishes and sides are recommended. Between my misses and I we would have a few oysters each, a drink, 3 shared dishes and a side, costs just over a hundy. Well worth it.
4.0 Yums
Bone marrow and clam linguine are the bomb! Love going to this place, especially when I'm a bit early so I can sit outside without having to wait. Love the charcuterie as well, specially those fig and fennel crostinis.
Love, love love this place. They don't take reservations so you need to be early to get a seat (my boyfriend and I were there around 5:45pm for dinner).
Fantastic food and genuinely friendly staff. The skirt steak was divine, fish sliders were morsels of heaven and the pavlova was moreish..just wish it came in a bigger glass!
Outdoor area is no smoking. 3 to 4 tables further out and is cigar friendly.
Never a disappointing experience. Always delivers food that is top notch. Why else can I say. Oysters... Awesome. Gnocci.. Shit yeah. Ribs.. Booyah. Sashimi.. Damn!
One of my favourite places to eat, truly a great experience.
Had our 1 year anniversary here, and their restaurant month menu was delicious!
We especially loved the fish sliders, they're definitely worth coming back again!
To make it special they also wrote "Happy Anniversary Cassidy Clan" on there for my husband and I! Great service!
Depot is a classic.
I have been there like 6 times or more . I always Enjoyed the food and the experience.
My favourite: Delicious Skirt Steak with Mostard Habanero ! 😍 Is to Die For !
Tap Beer, cider & wines available. Soft drink favourite: The organic Ginger Beer is very good ! Desserts are not my favorite part in depot.. last time they suggested the strawberries with whip cream ..I also tried the apple pie or something like that . Wasn't a great finish. But I know they choose the Kiwi Classics. So that's fine just to try.
Mommy friendly : not the place to go with babies or kids. ( No space for trolleys, is always very crowd and no changing room available)
Great for : Special dates , Foodies , Friends and Dinner with colleagues. 😉👍 Looking Forward to go back !
A place I love to take friends and family for casual lunch! Turbot sliders are a must. Must try their pork hock and skirt steak for the carnivores like me, w a side of potato skins is perfect. Very good service. Small space seatings for a group of 4 however their food and service I can't complain 😊
One of the very best restaurants in Auckland. The food is honest and full of soul - cooked well, amazing flavours, and not fussed over. The oysters are fresh and amazing, lamb cutlets slow cooked and exceptional. All the mains are delicious! Staff friendly and knowledgable. Try the Hay Paddock Syrah 2008!
The beef cheeks are absolute to die for, just melts in your mouth with that remoulade. The ouster cream complements the kingfish sashimi really well, great to try something different from just soy sauce. It's a pretty crammed place and it's almost always crowded (hence no bookings taken, a bit frustrating). But overall, nice service, looks after our needs and took care of our belongings (due to small area I suppose).
Ok this is my fav place in the whole of Auckland. I hit this place with everything it can give me! I get balls deep in the Fish Sliders every time, the Hupuka Belly is off the chain WOW! The Ribs, all I can say get out you tasty!!!! The cocktails, basically choose anyone you like online and they will make it, we got an Orange Bourbon smash and to top it off Als spin on a jelly tip ice cream - THE JELLY IS PASSIONFRUIT PEOPLE!!!!
If Als on the floor the night you go, you'll agree he has to be one of the best hosts around! Always keen for a chat.
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Located on Federal Street, Al Brown's bistro styled eatery has made headlines in Auckland's restaurant scene.
Boasting a cuisine that is robust yet mouth watering, Al Brown has a set himself up a high bench mark to reach.
Last Friday a friend and I were walking along the cobbled stones of Federal Street and decided it was time to check out what all the fuss was about.
Without the option of making reservations, we hopped there was going to be a table for two. Luckily we were seated straight away.
My first impressions included the overall casual atmosphere of the space. I liked it. For all the hype around it, the restaurant hasn't adopted a pretentious feel to it, which could make you feel a bit on edge.
All the staff were friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and attentive. No complaints about the service at all.
With complimentary breads and dips while you wait for your coffee to brew, you have a moment to take in the kiwi inspired interior.
Ordering dessert and coffee made for an impressive introduction to Depot. Thanks to a combination of friendly service and an atmosphere perfect for a late night bite, I'll definitely re-visit.
Sarah Reynolds #challenge
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Came here for a late night snack one night. I had already had dinner but a couple friends don't finish work till 9pm. So it was a late dinner for them. My partner and I went an hour in advance as we know they only do wait lists and no reservations. I purely came for the seafood, after all they're known as an oyster bar. There were 2 types of rock salt oysters, bluffo oysters, clams, and king fish sashimi available from the raw bar. I got two of each type of oysters and clams, and a plate of kingfish sashimi. They're shucked to order and was the most amazing experience. It was served with some onion(?) Vinegerette. We also got some sliders, squid ink pasta, and potato skins. They were all very devine and we had no complaints. My glass of reisling was the perfect match to my raw bar platter. I did find the bluff oysters too matellic in taste but, that might just be my pallete. My friends love the bluff overall. For dessert we shared a sweet pie aka treckle pie. I was expecting it to be chewy and thick, because it basically sugar syrup and pastry. It was actually soft and creamy. Kind of like your withers soft caramel lolly but a creamy texture. Despite the price being quite exxy will definitely return. The experience and food is worth it.
Food: 5/5 (so far. Haven't tried their dinner items)
Drinks: to rate (my wine out of a bottle doesn't really count)
Service: 4.5/5
Atmosphere: 4/5 (its buzzy and very eatery like decor. However the high stools very very uncomfortable to sit on)
Value for money: 2.5/5 (if you're gonna come here to eat, dont expect to not dip into your pocket)
Both times I have been here have been amazing experiences. Even had al brown bring out our entree himself which we were so surprised about. we miss the oyster shots they used to do SO GOOD! Can't wait to come again!
Exciting cuisine never disappoints. We dined at Depot a couple of weeks ago for lunch. We were treated with yorkshire pudding and mutton which melted in the mouth. We followed up with a large sharing plate of beautiful kawaii accompanied by spicy aubergine and breads and a smoked cauliflower dish. We always go to Depot or Federal when in Auckland
Been here three times now, and it's always been such a delight. The staff are consistently friendly, helpful and professional. The atmosphere is always so cozy and welcoming. And the food? Absolutely worth what you pay for. All the flavours and seasonings they add onto each dish are such a treat. I find it quite nice how all their dishes are share plates - something i've never seen before. I totally recommend the potato skins.
I most definitely recommend Depot to anyone looking for a cosy place to eat with delightful food and great, great coffee (seriously, $4 for a wonderfully made mochaccino).
It was a good experience, atmosphere was nice, service was good and drinks kept on coming.
I didn't eat only drank but other mates at the table did eat. There comments were most of the small plates were excellent like the sliders a couple of items weren't so popular like the potato skins.
Would I go back? Probably.
Depot, always been one of my favorite and been there couple of times. I always recommend to friends especially those traveling to Auckland and bring them there. I m a fan of Oyster, especially Bluff Oysters but currently they don't have it there when I went last week.
They don't take table reservation, just go there, left your phone number and I go next door Masu for a drink usually until the table is available they call me... Usually wait time is between 15mins - 40mins.
The food in the menu is suggested for sharing.
This is what I have ordered on my recent visit:
Rate: 4/5 - Fergus' Bone Marrow - wood roasted with parsley & shallot salad
Rate: 5/5 - Squid Ink Linguine & 'Cloudy Bay' Clams with hand-cut pasta, ficelle, 'Akaroa' chorizo & sav blanc sauce
Rate: 4/5 - Fresh seafood - Mahurangi Oysters - creamy, mildly salty with clean finish. Orongo Bay Oysters - small, plump and creamy.
Been here a handful of times now. Loved it every time. They've got a nice range of craft beers which is always popular with the bf. The wild meat board, fresh oysters/ shellfish were delicious. One of my favorites is the bone marrow dish which I just couldn't get enough of.. Al let me create my own white wine sangria on one of the nights which was pretty cool, he even said it might star on the menu at some point lol. Love the atmosphere & vibes. Always recommending this place!
Okay. The atmosphere although noisy and the waiters are frantically running around all the time, is quite nice. The design is rustic - or shabby chic which I quite like.
The food is good but not outstanding - aside from the Duck legs which are too die for.
All in all, you don't do anything wrong going there but it's nothing to remember.
Service: 7/10
Food: 9/10
Cleanliness: 9/10
Value for money: 7/10
Overall: 8/10
Great service although the food came out quite slow.
The food itself was on point. Oysters are a must try here.
Just went in for a drink and some nibbles, great staff and atmosphere. Food really tasty, lots of options to choose from so a good choice for a quick snack/drink or main meal
I've been meaning to try Depot for a very long time, but never followed through because there was always a wait and always ended up eating elsewhere. But this place is worth every minute.
One of the most creative menus I have seen, with tantalising combination of sauces and flavours that work so well. I love the contrasting tastes they have, such as the pork hock which was served with green apple and horseradish salsa verde.
My favourites of the night would have to be the turbot sliders and warahou tortillas.
Service was excellent, waitress came around frequently and always kept our water refilled, and the atmosphere was lively and exciting.
Metro's top restaurant of 2015, and for a good reason.
Awesome place for some great tasting food. Sliders are a must have, try the bone marrow for something different and finish off with the sugar pie. It's always busy but have a good system where they call you when a table is free.
I like their clams and turbot sliders. Almost all the dishes are quite delicious. But the environment is very noisy at dinner time. Day time is Ok.
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Depot is definitely one of my faves in Auckland! I try and go there whenever I can and went there this week before heading to the ballet at the civic.
For those of you who haven't been you can't book and due to its popularity when you arrive you often have to put your name down and wait for a table. My tricks around this are on a week night go before six, the wait is usually short or non existent at this time. Or go later but plan for the wait, you can have a drink at the bar at depot while you wait but often that is crowded too so I have often put our name down and then gone to Bellota or Masu which are nearby for a drink while we wait to be called. The layout inside is generally quite busy with high tables insider but low tables outside. Another tip you can often get food faster is you are happy to eat outside, we did this week and even in the colder weather it was fine as there are heaters and pull down sides to ensure its not too cold!
The menu is generally sharing plates, with big and small plates to choose from and well as sides and desserts. The menu changes seasonally and one of my favourite things on the menu at the moment is the mutton Yorkshire puddings, they are amazing!
As you can probably tell from the name there is a Oyster bar as well but as I am not a fan of Oysters I have never tried it.
With depot it's not a question of if I go back but more when!
You'll always have to wait for a table here (unless you eat at abnormal hours) - but I've always thought that was the first impression of a successful restaurant. It's always been that way, and it highlights the class of this establishment. A menu that's everchanging (so us patrons don't get bored, but also a testament to how much the chef really does care about using only the freshest ingredients) and unparalleled service from the staff make this an Auckland must-visit. Casual, yet the food is creative and is amongst the best I've ever had - time and time again. Truly inspirational.
Another faultless experience at Depot - on maybe our 20th visit. Even with the often lengthy wait times for a table, I can say with all honestly that every time it is worth the wait.
The best seats in the house surely have to be up at the pass with a direct view in to the theatrical kitchen. The chefs are incredibly talented and the service is flawless.
Last night we went for the usual collection of oysters, lamb ribs, the Yorkshire puddings (off the new Winter menu - unbeatable) and followed up with pork hock and skirt steak. Depot is the kind of place where no matter what you order off the menu, it will be fantastic.
I can't recommend Depot highly enough - don't be deterred by the often 1-2 hours wait. Have a drink and wait - they always call you promptly when the table is ready and it is ALWAYS worth it.
Outstanding. The food was of an exceptional level. Service was amazing, home made Bloody Caesars with real clam juice! Great place for sharing, worth every penny!
Went there for dinner and drinks the other night - amazing service and wonderful food. Food arrived really fast. Loved it.... Highly recommend.
This must be one of my favourite place of all time. I have been numerous times over the last couple of years. The wait at the door has reduced since opening.
I am a huge fan of oysters and I have never been dissatisfied with what Depo serve. The quality of food is brilliant and the atmosphere is busy, cool and somehow classy.
The service is amazing! I have sat looking in the kitchen twice now, once our food came out at the wrong times (we weren't aware, we just thought it was a bit strange! But it was extremely busy) and we got a free dessert as we tried to leave! Very kind of them. The second time we were lucky enough to be served by Al Brown himself. The other times we were placed at the bar and tables and that was great too.
Such a refreshing spot, can't get enough of the Oysters. The wine list is pretty good and the service is always very warm with a cruisy atmosphere
I only had to wait a year or so, plus go on a weeknite evening, and on a night with torrential downpours to be able to squeeze into an outside table, so popular is this place. Every other time I had been past it was standing room only. No bookings allowed and sharing plates only, but with plenty of charm and super friendly service. All the food came out quick, everything was delicious of course, the standouts being the oversized gnocchi covered something that resembled freeze dried kale, and the quince tarte tatin... :-)
TOP 10 PICK - AL Brown has done us proud! 2015 Metro winner of the year! This is my favourite restaurant! The fish sliders - Raw king fish and oysters are my picks. Clean simple dishes that taste amazing. You might also get the opportunity to see the master chef himself - Mr Al Brown cooking up a storm. Thou the portions are small - after a few you find yourself rather full! But make sure to leave room for Desert at his store next door. The Fed
Shuck your taste buds with fresh Malborough clams whether it is the sweet Tuatua or salty Diamond Shell with a clean ocean finish. Grill with flavoursome ‘Coromandel’ mussels with a side of pita bread dipped in hummus. Cream with the rum & plum trifle to sweeten off your experience.
This must be the place to be cause there was an hour wait for the table.
The food was worth the wait. Causal style share plates and fresh oysters. The oysters are shucked when you order and tasted as fresh as can be.
Everything was presented and cooked perfectly. Great wine selection really enjoyable night
Every time I go to Auckland, I pop into this busy little place for a bite of fresh kaimoana. The selection of raw clams and oysters is great. The wine list is small but good. Service has always been very good. I most kiwi blokes - like the casual unpretentious atmosphere.
Definitely a must to try... I have been lucky and got in straight away both times... But when we came out the waiting time is unreal! The atmosphere is great... Sitting by the bar is entertaining but sitting where they cook is better it made us order more food!! Definitely the place to eat oysters. Excellent food and the potato skins a must as well as the pork knuckle.
So amazing, I looked at the menu and wasn't too keen on anything but we just ordered 4 dishes to share between us and I loved every single dish, I was amazed as to how good it was. It was super busy and yet they only took 20ish mins maybe to make 4 delicious dishes. Can't wait to go back, hopefully soon! Amaaaaaazzziiiiinngg ?
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Oh my dearest Depot, thank you for the good food you're consistently providing :D Went here on a Friday night with my dad for dinner and as usual, the restaurant was fully packed! So we left our names there and got a call an hour later telling us a table was finally available, thank heavens we waited cos everything we ordered was worth it!
Between the two of us, we had ordered just ONE oyster the turbot sliders and the skirt steak. The oysters came out first and we were pleasantly surprised to see they had given us an extra one due to how small the oysters were that night. Holy moly these oysters meant serious business, served in salted ice with a wedge of lemon and a little saucer of some form of vinegary shallot thing. I think it's safe to say this was the nicest oyster I've ever had in my life, full of freshness and flavour YUM! At $4.50 for one, these little treasures were worth every cent :)
The next thing that came out were the turbot sliders which I had been wanting to try for agesss since seeing photos of them everywhere on instagram. These were actually delicious! Fish with a light crispy batter served with mayo and watercress in between two soft delicate buns, each bite was a tinge of paradise! Definitely reccomend these if you're a fish fan !! This was my favourite dish of the night
The last dish that came out was the skirt steak which was actually my least favourite dish of the night, but mainly because some pieces of the steak were unswallobale due to its chewiness. However, the turbo onions it's served alongside with were to die for!! The dish overall was still enjoyable, but failed to shine in comparison to the sliders and oysters.
Overall, Depot was an amazing experience and the bill came up to around 48 dollars for these three dishes. The service was extremely good too! Will definitely return to try more of their dishes like the pork hock! yumyum
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It was a friday evening.
We made our entrance into depot. BAM!
The waft of scrumptious smells from the kitchen hit our noses whilst our ears were drowned in happy/chatty diners.
We were recommended the fish sliders, squid ink linguine with clams, the bone marrow, and the warahou tortillas by our lovely waiter.
Food did take 30minutes which was reasonable on a busy fri evening, but the service was amazing.
Not to mention the food!
The turbot fish sliders were juicy with a hefty amount of lemon mayo. The perfect bite.
The squid ink linguine cooked to Al dente with fresh clams. The broth was creamy and warm, perfect for dipping the bread in.
Now to the bone marrow which one would normally throw away. This was rich and decadent. Freshly baked in an oven to draw out and intensify the bone marrow essence which you then scoop up to be eaten with toasted bread and parsley. Insanely good!
Finally we finished with some warahou fish tortillas. Again cooked to perfection, all sauced up with tomatillo.
All in all. An enjoyable experience and a must try eatery!
Just be ready to wait up to an hour for tables on a busy friday or saturday evening.
Also, servings are small so if your a big eater like me, you may leave hungry unless your willing to spend a fair amount
This is my favourite by a country mile. The sharing plates are in my view the best way to eat. service is excellent and rustic look makes a real difference Also has best coffee in town
Went tonight for the Wahine and I's anniversary and once again Depot didn't disappoint. We didn't have to wait for a table and were seated instantly right at the kitchen. At first I was worried that there would be too much going on to enjoy each other's company but soon realised that the fast paced kitchen was like watching something out of the movie Chef. The food as always is amazing and fast, we had the fish sliders, the special which were fish tortillas, lamb ribs and potato skins. Al brown you never cease to amaze me ??
Depot is busy, really busy- all the time. You can't book, but on a good day you can turn up and they will call you when a table is ready for you in an hour or so...
Totally worth the wait, we were seated at the bar over looking the kitchen, it is a great way to find new appreciation for the food- the rhythm of the chefs, the seamless way they throw together the ingredients and create mini artworks before your eyes.
The freshness of the raw bar is a real treat- slightly salty firm morsels that pop in your mouth is a wonderful start, the main menu has delights such as meltingly soft lamb ribs that fall off the bone, smoky beef brisket tortillas that are beyond words and the skins- Parmesan and porcini powder need I say more? All washed down with a small but perfectly formed wine list.. Sigh I wish I could go back again... Now...
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If you're looking for a fantastic dining experience complete with delicious food, brilliant service and a great atmosphere, then head to Depot now!
We were a party of five on a bustling Friday night. It was incredibly busy when we (my sister and I) arrived at 6pm, so we were put on the waiting list. Due to our other friends arriving late, we didn't sit down until 7.30pm. [Note that your whole group has to arrive before they seat you]. If we were at any other restaurant, we would have left, but this was Depot and we were all dead keen to try it out!
While waiting, you can find a table outside and order a few drinks. We had beer and cocktails [note that there is no cocktail list on the drinks menu, so just tell the waiter your favourite ingredient i.e. 'something with tequila' or 'something fruity' - trust me they did an amazing job!]. Also ordering a few snacks like their potato skins may be an option, and then you can stand back, relax and chat to people. A group of oldies even asked my sister for a marriage proposal - for their nephew!
Once seated, service continued to be friendly, professional and swift. We had a bit of a challenge deciding what to order and had to ask our waiter a lot of questions - three of us were meat eaters, one a pescetarian and one a vegan! The great thing about Depot is that their food is made for sharing - so we went crazy! We started off with complimentary pita bread, hummus and olive oil and then ordered the Tio Point oysters, Tuatua clams, zucchini flowers, smoked brisket tortillas, turbot sliders, Depot slaw with rutabaga (like swede) and macadamia nuts, and potato skins.
Everything was delicious - we honestly couldn't fault any of the dishes. We particularly loved the Tio Point oysters! I have to admit that I have never been ecstatic about oysters, but since trying them at Depot, I am now a huge fan!
Other highlights included the turbot sliders (melt in your mouth fish with the most delicious preserved lemon mayo) and the zucchini flowers. Definitely something I haven't seen on a menu before! They came served with Persian feta and pine nuts - mmmmm!
Of course, we couldn't go past dessert - Depot's 'Sugar Pie' (drool) with whipped cream and a block of White Rabbit Cacao chocolate. Both were sweet and naughty, but totally worth it!
So all in all, an amazing night at Depot, with plenty of food, drink and top service! Highly highly recommend!
looks easy but really amazing！！so so nice！i love it！you must try！best ever in auckland..
the steak and lamb ribs really really good..
the oyster so so so sweet..
I love this place. Always my favourite go to. We have been numerous times now and have never had bad services or food we can fault. Had my 30th bday there and they managed to fit 11 of us outside on a Dec night. Staff are friendly and attentive. Love the sliders, brisket tortillas, sugar pie actually everything. If you haven't been go it's worth the wait if it's busy
I would Highly recommend Depot to everyone. Good place to hang out with friends. Amazing food and great service. We had to wait for table for sometime but it was so worth it.
Yep, awesome.. Delicious food, switched on staff. This place deserves to be full. If you have to wait outside for a bit, grab a beer and hold fire. It's certainly worth it.
Seafood-lovers will be right at home here. My mum started with a beautifully presented tasting plate of three NZ oysters, each with contrasting flavours. Depot's oyster selection is carefully edited and changes almost daily depending on the best available stock, and the menu includes tasting notes. Since my visit, they've also added a daily clam selection.
I finally got to try Depot out today after a previous failed attempt. My bf and I came for lunch, where depot was slightly quieter than when we tried for dinner. We got seated at the bar and were tended to very quickly!
There were a few things on the menu we liked the look of, but we chose the brisket tortillas, the pork hock, and the charred kumara. The tortillas were very flavourful with a bit of spice, the meat was delicious and melted in the mouth! The pork hock was also delicious, the meat was cooked perfectly and the crackling was on point. The kumara was a good accompaniment to the meal, but to be honest I caught sight of the potato skins and wished we got those!
Overall depot was good. The food came out reasonably quickly, and it cost less than I thought it would. To be fair it wasn't as amazing as I expected (from what I'd heard about it) but it's good food and should definitely be one to try out!
Depot is a great place for lunch or dinner with friends. The oysters are amazing and taste like their straight out of the ocean. Overall good food and we'll worth the price. Would go back again
Al Browns Depot is a restaurant I would recommend to anyone. Whenever people ask where to go in the city or if they are visiting for a night we recommend Depot.
Staff are friendly and attentive, it has casual feel and the dishes they offer showcase New Zealand produce
So good I bought the company.. ok just the book by Al Brown! But this place lives up to the preceding reviews. Great atmosphere akin to new york bar bistro plus add a seafood bar and a packed by-the-glass wine menu.
I also will rave about the hapuka fish slider in the smalls to share menu. Fresh fish not overpowered but the mayo nor oily or salty. 10/10 perfected! !
2 mains ..clams w squid linguine perfectly cooked tasty while not a superfan on squid ink pasta this was firm and not heavy 10/10
Pork hock served with a wicked apple stick and gerkin with peso or mint dressing. Parsnip sauce. Impressive and well prepared. OnIy wish there were more people as we were only 2 people sharing. 8/10. Will be back to try more dishes.
Superb and brilliant at an affordable price. If you come to Auckland to dine, Depot can't be missed. Family and I ordered five things to share. The small plates were lamb ribs and fish sliders - the ribs were perfectly cooked and fell off the bone, the fish in those sliders were literally melt-in-your-mouth. For the big plates we had the skirt steak, hock, and clam/chorizo linguine. The linguine was handmade with a load of clams and chorizo slices that made a killer of a combination. The skirt steak was done to my liking at medium rare and was juicy and tender. The hock was soft and melted away in the mouth, but complemented with crispy crackling.
The epic and satisfying feed was for only $135 between the four of us (excluding drinks). Service was attentive and speedy. Bravo to the team at Depot.
The first time I dined here was for lunch, and we sat in front of the kitchen - best seats in the house. Was so much fun watching the hustle of the kitchen, skillfully plating up each dish and adding the final elements. I found the dishes to be a hit and miss, however would highly recommend the fish sliders, pork hock, potato skins and sugar pie to finish.
They didnt take bookings, so I expected very good food from this restaurant. I think they kind of delivered it. What I really liked was the deco. They turned junk canes into very interesting cutleries holders and it all looked great, stylish and old fashion! The service was good and fast, and one of the best restaurant atmosphere i have encountered ~ so many people. I absolutely loved their clams and little tacos (just my taco shells were a little bit burnt, which i could have complained for a restaurant in this standard it shouldn't happen...). the little burgers were also a delicacy. their share plates were very simple but beautifully executed food. We also had a squid pasta, but that wasn't quite up to my standard as it tasted like a fusion of European food with a asian sauce. It was a bit tasteless. yes this place is pricier but most their food is not bad.
This place is packed around the clock everyday of the week! Been here four times and never disappointed. I have always been able to miss that crazy wait time by going with only one other person. Keep your party size small to have a nice time! Food is AMAZING. The first time I went , we started off with a dozen oysters- normally I don't have them but these were to die for!! So fresh. Then we had the bone marrow as I was feeling adventurous already and, like before, it was too good to believe. My favorite on the menu is the fish sliders- you cannot eat here without having them!! Nice size to share as an entree or hog all to yourself with a side of potato skins:)
Don's Food Fiesta
+4
I heard this place gets packed quick so my gf and I decided to go at an odd hour in th arvo - we were seated straight away. Wait staff are very informative as this was our first time. Food was fresh & tasty although the simplicity of some dishes had me thinking it was not worth the price eg. $5.50 for 1 x tio point oyster. Overall a good place to dine.
Al Brown, you're a Legend! The food is charmingly different but somehow familiar! The staff are brilliant. Love love LOVE the place! Wish it was bigger, wish we could book & wish Al was there more often. But still fab!
Wouldyoulikebreadwithyourbutter
+4.5
Everything was perfect apart from service. Fresh oysters and amazing seafood
But why when I ask the waiter about wine, all she responds with is "I don't drink wine so I don't know".. Aren't they trained to make something up? Or go get someone that knows what they are talking about
I had the same response about coffee too.. I was surprised by this lack of knowledge
One of my favor bar,even its not easy to get the seat, Oyster is really fresh and juicy, Turbo sliders is the one I must order every time.
love their food and place...the price is a bit expensive dont think everyone can afford it. customer service is ok..can be better...maybe i went to the wrong day with wrong waitress
What a stellar experience. The staff were amazing nothing was too much and they made sure we got a table asap. The food was amazing we got the brisket and bone marrow for the small platters & pork hock and hapuka belly with the egg plant for the large platters. The staff are very knowledgeable about the food and have great recommendations. Will definitely go back
One of my favourite restaurants in the city, always tell Auckland visitors to try this place out.
You can always trust Al Browns restaurants to deliver good service and amazing food, perfectly seasoned.
A favourite here is the fish belly, as well as the tio point oysters. The blade steak was also amazing. You can't go wrong with any of the dishes here so be adventurous!
Have been here around 10 times and they always always deliver with the food. The seafood is outstanding, along with everything else on the menu. The service is impeccable. Great place for a fun night out.
We had been wanting to try depot due to raving recommendations and was not disappointed we had the pork plate to share and a side of fries. If we had not had any plans for dinner we would of enjoyed much more. The staff were also very polite and kept checking on us. We look forward to returning soon.
I love Depot. The food, the atmosphere, the music and the people who come here. My friends and I ordered their platter and it was so good! The rabbit rillettes was new for us and we enjoyed it. I also like the fact that depot has so many people to look after the customers. They're always full but you wont feel neglected. :)
Awesome place to hang out!
I love the raw seafood bar. My ultimate favorite seafood hangout. Service is excellent, they were very polite and attentive. I cannot fail the presentation at all and the atmosphere was very vibrant and alive m Great place for a catchup with friends and after work drinks.
Depot is always a treat, fantastic service and delicious food it's one of my utter favourites. Bonus entertainment it's always fun watching uptight people getting miffed about waiting for a table.
Great food, fantastic service! Turbot sliders and the skirt steak were the favourites! Best time to dine before 6pm as it gets busy. Highly recommended!
Always a top 5 place to send people who haven't been before, or to take out of town friends. Most American esq styled places in NZ fail to deliver on the flavour but this is not the case here. Being allergic to seafood the highlights on the menu for me are the Skirt Steak, Pork Hock and Zuccini/pine nuts small plate. Wine list has also been well put together with clever selections to pair with the menu. Sufferers of back pain should take note that you're in for an uncomfortable experience as it's mostly stool seating so just eat faster or drink more and suffer tomorrow. A very small price to pay for one of NZ's best dining experiences.
Always a favorite to eat at when in the city, oysters are amazing. The service is hurried but efficient, you're never left with an empty drink which is perfect!
I am not sure if I had done a review for Depo so here its is:
Food : 10/10 finger lickin good!
Service: excellent esp when al brown himself brings your drinks !
Reservations: shame they dont accept bookings but hey totally understand the concept!
Atmosphere: vibe is awesome!
Love this place ! Love the food and have dined here a few times
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To get a seat at this place you need to either turn up really early for dinner or be patient enough to wait for one to become available. The first time we tried to go we were told it would be well over an hour to get a seat so we had to go somewhere else but the other times we just went early so we wouldn't be disappointed that we couldn't get a seat.
The menu has a wide variety of dishes with different types of meat which is always a good sign as it is shared platters so you want to be sure that you are getting something different with each dish you order. Service was fast and our waiter was so friendly and a real charmer, it was a great part of the experience! We ordered bottles of wine and plenty of dishes and we didn't have to wait too long even though you could see that it was building up heavily while we were there. The food was AMAZING! The only thing I didn't like was the kingfish but thats a preference on my part as I don't really like kingfish as a whole. However, there were definitely enough options on the table that I didn't feel like I was missing something because of it! I recommend the sliders, pork hock and beef cheek. So delicious!
I have been here twice and I will definitely come back again at some point again but with so many great dining options I can't imagine when that will be though. But, if anyone in my group would want to go again I wouldn't say no!
Always a fantastic vibe and the food is well presented and delicious! The attention to detail is top class and the staff are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and attentive. This restaurant is well worth the wait in the plastic awning for seating.
Amazing! Best food I've ever eaten in Auckland. Service is great too, last time we went they made a simple mistake with our table and we got free wine and and side dishes. Our favourites are the pork hock, fish sliders and beef cheek. Love how this place has a non pretentious and casual vibe but still offers 5 star food and service. I think the food is well priced as you get large portions and never leave hungry. We will keep coming back!
After reading a number of reviews and hearing the hype, myself and a couple lads thought we'd have to check it out. Initially we were told to wait however Arriving at 7.30 on a Thursday who were we trying to fool. We got told 45 minutes and we're seated after 30 and given bread and dips which we enjoyed with a couple beers. Oysters were delicious and can't fault any of the food in the slightest. Highlight would have to be the lamb ribs, up there with the best lamb i've eaten if not the best. Service was outstanding and no doubt I will be returning in the near future.
I can not say a bad word about this place. Love it, never been disappointed. Staff are friendly and professional, food is top notch.
Price reflects quality food, location and high end hospo staff.
Best place to sit is in the far corner looking into the kitchen.
Very good food and service. Only reason it didn't get a 5 star is the price. If you don't mind paying then this is the place to eat. Great atmosphere.
Went there last night for dinner, and sat at the bar looking right into the kitchen. Was fascinating to watch their efficient kitchen team at full stream.
Food was brilliant, service could've been alittle more attentive. We thoroughly enjoyed chatting with their head chef during dinner.
Will definitely be back.
Hands down....best place to eat in Auckland!
Not a single complaint about the food! Good portions and reasonably priced sharing platters!
Only complain would be that it's hard for them to accommodate larger groups and no bookings allowed.
Al has really nailed it with Depot. His staff training must clearly be brilliant as they are attentive and look as though they really do have a passion for their food and customer service. We like to eat up by the kitchen and marvel at the logistics involved in running an efficient and effective kitchen. The head Chef even takes a little time out to explain some of the dishes on request. We witnessed them even trying to work out the best adaptation of some of their dishes to accommodate a customer who was dairy free. This is a consistently excellent eatery that we will keep coming back to.
Every time I am in Auckland a must go!
Depot in amazing.
Food extremely fresh, standouts include pork hock, oysters, tacos and breakfast spot on!
Service is always friendly and right there when you need it without being over the top.
Comfortable cool environment/decor with great wines to match.
Highly recommended.
we really like the food here and the atmosphere however the metal tumblers are not good to drink out of and we had a metalic taste in our mouths for the rest of the evening. Also, the glass tumblers for the wine is not a good idea either but luckily we asked for proper wine glasses and they accommodated us. Will definitely be going back for the brisket sliders.
Love love love Depot Eatery - have been there many times for breakfast, lunch and dinner and food is always amazing! Service is good too.
Must haves are turbot sliders, skirt steak (comes rare), pork hock, lamb ribs, kingfish sashimi - pretty much everything is amazing!
Ooh and don't forget the mini sins!
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This was my first visit to Depot; I'd heard so many good things about it I wondered if they could deliver. I needn't have worried, the food was outstanding. We had to wait outside for 45 minutes but were well looked after by our waiter, who kept the drinks flowing along with plates of yummy white bean puree and pita bread. Once inside we were seated at the rear of the dining room on the counter at the pass. It was such a pleasure watching the cooking team work and seeing the food coming out. I had Tio Point oysters to start, which had that lovely metallic finish. Great on their own but the shallot and red wine vinegar dip was very nice too. Next came the turbot sliders; lovely soft sweet fish, sweet but tangy lemon mayo with peppery watercress to contrast, all wrapped up in one of the most delectable buns you will ever eat. The seared scallops with cauliflower puree and proscuitto are a tried and tested combo but these were as tasty an example as I've eaten. We finished off with the roast pork hock, a thing of beauty with lovely soft succulent meat and melt in the mouth crackling. My only regret was that we were too full to order anything else. Next visit I will have to eat the slow cooked lamb in Yorkshire puddings, the warehou tortillas and the butterflied snapper. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Service at the table started off very well but tailed off near the end as the restaurant wound up. It could have ended better but the food was why we went, and why we will go again
Excellent food, atmosphere and services.
The potatoes skin, chicken couscous, and all other dishes were amazing. I want to try everything on the menu!
Definitely one of my favorite eateries in Auckland!
Validating the parking ticket at SkyCity is a bonus!
Group of 4 girls, close to Xmas had a bit of a wait but managed to get a table after about 1/2 hour.
Great food - asked the waiter for recommendations, everything we had was delicious.
Excellent wine list and wines by the glass - we got to try Pelorus Rose for the first time which was a hit for all. Fantastic service - can't wait to go back....
Perfection. Please open a sister Depot in Christchurch Al. We are desperate for good eateries down here! The quake took them all and I can honestly say not one new kid on the block is anywhere close to Depot!
Didn't think this restaurant would live up to the hype, but WOW! Amazing food! The pork and skirt steak were amazing, LOVED the kumara and have been trying to emulate this at home ever since! Would be five stars but deducting a point for the silly tumbler glasses - how to ruin good wine! I'm guessing the real reason for using tumblers is the tables are so small you'd knock glasses over every five seconds...still, some things shouldn't be messed with! Go prepared for a decent wait for a table too...but it's worth it.
Four of us went here for a birthday and were incredibly impressed, the waiter answered all questions we had on wine and beer and made helpful suggestions on various dishes as someone else has said here, the meats were so tender they melted in the mouth.
We had three courses and each of us ordered different choices so as to all share and taste a wide selection, my friends are food technologists so they know food inside out and there was nothing but accolades from them, and even though it was Friday night we arrived at 6:00 and were shown straight to a table, took our time eating and chatting and there was no pressure to move on at the end of our meals. I can say I had the best dining experience and really enjoyed the rustic atmosphere. It was good to see Al there circulating also, I am looking forward to go back soon.
This place was amazing and we will have to go back! Loved the service and the food ! The drinks were quickly served and the food followed straight after. Those oysters were to die for! Keep up the good work I will be back for sure.
The food here is unbelievable. Breakfast is superb and everything else tastes amazing. My Friend ordered potato skins and I kind of thought they would be just like other ones I have had but somehow they tasted incredible. Even though the menu sounds simple everything I have tasted blows me away with flavour. You have to be early to get a table but it's worth the wait.
Amazing food, incredible service. Never fails!
I have recommended Depot to many of my friends and family. Each and every time, Depot has surpassed my expectations. The fish or pork sliders are to melt-in-your-mouth, potato skins are always crispy and delicious, ribs are always cooked perfectly and oysters are so fresh and tasty that even someone who dislikes oysters loved it. One of the BEST places to dine in Auckland (if you don't mind the wait- it is worth it!)
The food is absolutely delicious and the staff are super friendly! Only took one star off because of the long wait times. They need to expand asap and I have a feeling that they will still get full business. Seriously, the fig toasties are amazing and the brown sugar pie is to die for. I love the nice buzz that the restaurant always has as well.
My wife and I went to Auckland for 5 nights and ate here three nights in a row Sat, Sun and Mon 13-15 Jul
The staff are fantastic as we got to know everyone from Haley to Nick and even the chef.
The food was sublime. We are well traveled and love New York and this place just lives even on a cold night
Wine in tumblers and water in beakers is very casual and refreshing
we had the turbot sliders,Pork Hock,free range chicken,braised beef cheek,lamb ribs and hapuka tortillas, plus potatoes skins(not all on the same night but a combination over 3)
The Pork Hock was our favourite a standard must with every meal as were the turbot sliders and everything else is just as good to mix and match.
Our shortest wait time was one hour but with the system of taking a cell number we went for a walk and improved our appetite.
Well done the depot team
Gary Christchurch
This restaurant is absolutely fantastic.
The food is fresh and new, affordable for the standard of food given and the atmosphere. The sole downside is the possibility of a long wait which is only because it's so popular.
The fish tacos are amazing and the sliders, delicious. I will definitely be back here several times!
We had an absolutely brilliant meal at Depot last night. Having only been once previously, a year ago, we'd been fantasising about returning many times since then.
Last night provided an incredibly satisfying second visit. The food was extremely good. Stand out items for me were the freshly shucked oysters, the bone marrow (incredibly rich and delicious) and the sugar pie. The service is fast and friendly and welcoming and we were delighted to see a smiling Al Brown cruising through the restaurant talking to tables. The place has a delightful bustle and is not the least bit pretentious.
Absolutely love this place.
Had the Waiheke oysters and hapuku sliders - simply awesome as usual. However, the brisket "tortillas" were a disappointment, not well seasoned and lacking those luscious pickled onions. BTW I can't figure out why they call them "tortillas" instead of tacos. It's like serving someone a burger and calling it "bread." Oh well, they've been excellent in the past and I'm looking forward to a return to greatness.
Have heard about depot for a long time. And we were not dissappointed. The schnapper in the schnapper sliders was so juicy it melted into my toungue. My toungue is now part scnapper. Exactly like schnapper caught on the water in thmorning and eaten in the evening. My wife also thought the walnuts were candied to perfection. Excellant service as well although unsure about wine in tumblers. But overall very enjoyable.
Visited with my wife and had an outstanding experience. The place was buzzing, the service was really quick, super friendly but still professional. Most importantly the food is excellent. I had high expectations and it exceeded them. Don't come here if you can't handle a bit of noise and life. Fantastic fun.
Love this place.
The food is well prepared with good portion sizes. A good selection of food to choose from.
For how popular and busy it is, the staff are well attentive to their guests and aware of exactly what is going on.
A great place to chill out at in night of the week.
been a couple of times now and really like the vibe ' The seafood Is as fresh as you Could ever hope for and the service is great.
ate 2 Doz of the Tio point oysters.
EPIC!
Cant wait to go back.
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Upon entering the establishment it is easily apparent that Depot is still one of the most popular restaurants in the Auckland area. It is a cool summer Sunday evening at 9:00pm and the place is packed. Not to the point where I have to wait for a seat, but to the point where I am seated at a barstool in front of a ‘window’ which is nothing more than a shelf for cutlery.
Seemingly ignored for the first few minutes I am then attended to by three different servers in a matter of minutes, almost overwhelmingly assaulted about my food choice even though I haven’t even received my drink yet.
I start the evening off with three oysters, the minimum you have to order; and as always New Zealand oysters shucked to order cannot be beaten. They are succulent, and refreshing with the tinny end that shocks the senses with an explosion of flavour. If they were not so pricy I would probably just get my fill on oysters.
I stare at the menu for a few more minutes after slurping down the last oyster and wish that something new would magically appear, but alas, the menu has stagnated for over a year now. Stagnating in grandeur, but nonetheless stagnating. A towering model of perfection for New Zealand restaurateurs, food that has elevated other local eateries to a whole new class, but a menu in desperate need of tweaking. They have brought new ideas to Auckland that have been copied, and reused throughout the city. Do you know why every decent restaurant serves sliders and mini-tacos now? Depot 2011.
After much internal debate I decide on the squid ink and cockle linguine, something I have eaten in the past and been exceedingly impressed by. The sauce was a decadent and delicious buttery citrus reduction with pinch of herbs. However as any clam lover knows, the first bite of sand is forgivable, the second is not. I spent the rest of my meal preparing my mouth for the eventuality of more sand.
It is very rare in a pasta dish where you find yourself wishing there was more pasta and less clams, with over twenty clams, and only three bites of pasta I ended up wishing so badly for more of the great black noodles. I even ended up leaving a few clams on the plate because it was easy to tell they were overcooked with a visible rubbery texture. Beyond some of the glaring problems I had with the dish, on the whole it was still great, and by Auckland standards extraordinary.
Overall I gave my experience an 8/10, down from 10/10 this time last year. Still a great place to dine and have some food you cannot find anywhere else in Auckland, but do not prepare to be wowed if you have been here before, it is the same. Still a high mark, but the distinct lack of growth for one of Auckland’s most progressive restaurants is worrying. I for one, can’t wait to see what they do with some menu changes, and hope they make some significant ones
This place it getting lots of hype at the moment, so we were happy to wait for a table. Out of the 4 share plates we had 2 were great - the Kingfish Belly was large and yummy and well cooked and fun to share, the NZ Meat Board was nice - especially the rabbit, however the Courgette flowers were really disappointing (food costs would have been about $2) and the Warehou tortillas were odd, small and unremarkable.
The service was kind of cool and hip but a bit vague - they also were quite pushy with asking if we wanted more to drink (got the idea it was a sell sell sell exercise) -- especially remarkable was was when the waitress asked if we wanted another carafe of wine - as we said yes she started to take away our half full one! :-L WTF! ACTING attentive is one thing - but BEING attentive is what they need to aim for. All in all we had a fun night, would definitely go there again
Depot was my 'destination' restaurant for a three-day visit to Auckland, after hearing so much about it. Place sure is popular, an hour wait for a table even on a Monday evening! The service from the staff was good, prompt, and we were kept well looked after as we waited outside with some drinks to pass the time. The food was excellent, Al Brown certainly provided us with many temptations and everything was done to perfection, bags of flavor and wee bites to share. And yet I was not blown away in the manner I was expecting, perhaps I'd listened too much to the hype. Very very good, yes. Exceptional? Perhaps not. But a decent feed for social types. And dessert? Let's just say, some average pies and a chocolate bar does not a dessert-menu make, which I suppose is the idea when you want to turn over tables that quickly. An interesting place.
Great place to go with some friends to share lots of different dishes. Definitely recommend the oysters, they were fab! For those who have spent time in San Sebastian, it didn't quite live up to all my high standards set from there, but for Auckland it is still sensational.
Amazing! Went here for my birthday August 2012. Fantastic service, delicious food, great ambiance. Not pretentious. Relaxed feel. We had oysters - the best ive had in auckland; the meat platter - such a selection; tamarillo dessert - yum! Would definitely go again. The only problem was we had to wait a while for the table so we went next door for drinks. The waitress rang when a table was available - fantastic! I now know why its so popular!
We had dinner at Depot last night and loved the food. It is relaxed and the service is really friendly and efficient. The on tap Pinot is pretty good and every dish was lovely. We just wanted the beef cheek to be available as a big plate too - much too yummy to share and the carnivore at the table was still not satisfied after eating a whole one on his own! We've been back a few times for the sugar pie. It is just perfect!
OK - there is seriously a rave about this place and I wasn't amused about the fact that you can't make a reservation.
So we finally got in and you understand what the fuzz is about. This food is outstanding! I am a foodie and I have seen a lot of places. Guess what, this is my new favourite place in town.
We had lamb ribs and beef cheek, chicken and skirt steak. Absolutely mind-blowing! Everything was cooked to perfection. Great service, our waitress Kura was the Icing on the cake. Be back soon, a bit earlier to avoid waiting time.
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Depot is, without fault and gets the kiwi dining experience down pat.
Incredible ambiance, always heaving busy (Bellotta must be thanking the gods for the waiting patrons), great helpful but chilled out service (your water is always full but you will be left alone when you want to be), and the food and wine - in.cred.ible.
I have been to depot a handful of times now, and tried almost everything on the menu. Apart from the bone marrow (not my thing) and the kingfish sashimi (the only thing i think not worth the price for it's size), the menu is spot on.
Must have's: Sauv Blanc on tap. Cheap, and yummy. You won't find this sort of deal anywhere else. Pork hock. yes. A million times yes. If someone can teach me how to make that creamy mash i will pay them zillions. The brussel sprout side. I know. Brussel sprouts. Ignore your gut. Order them. They are so amazing I googles the recipe, found it online and recreated it (about 80% as good as the original). The squid ink linguine sounds odd and probably is but it is the most tasty thing by far on offer, you will want to order two (do yourself a favour and order the large). Hapuka Belly is fresh and very large, the lamp ribs are fatty and tasty, and the best dish of them all - freshly shucked Tuatuas with the balsamic onion sauce. My favorite thing to eat in the world at the moment.
We went to depot with a group of six. Ordered various small and large plates and every dish was superb. Favourites were the snapper tortillas and the pork hock. The service was excellent and we had a great night - at a very reasonable price. Will go back for sure. I would suggest getting in early, as it gets very busy!!!
really couldnt fault the experience. Think we were lucky as only 2 of us so managed to have a seat straight away. By the time we left there was a 90 minute wait. Each dish sensationally cooked - loved the Beef Cheeks, and the Turbot - cute little hamburger buns with it, and then the groper. Everything was cooked with finesse and excellence.
Oh my. Where do I begin? Depot is so fantastic.
Firstly, The Turbot Sliders.
Melt in your mouth. Tiny, flavoursome morsels of perfectly prepared fish in heavenly slider buns.
My colleagues and I procured so many small plates, we had to take leftovers home with us!
Our eyes were popping out, over the amazing menu options.
Aubergine - yum. The chicken - was devine.
And the service was just SO spot-on. Understated, non-intrusive, but helpful. And she has no notepad... she's listening intently to what we want.
Love the hooks under the end of the table for our handbags... and 'doggy' bags at the end.
Just superb.
There is no better place to hang out with your friends and have a yummy meal, good service and great value for money!! The place has this incredible decor and atmosphere, I highly recommend!! Oh, and the oysters...OMG!! To die for!
WOW what a great place to immerse yourself in a vibrant fast pasted eatery that offers amazing food choices & backed up by highly trained & efficient wait staff. Well worth the wait & looking forward to returning very very soon.
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My three foodster companions and I, enticed by stories of oysters and bacon hock, had been meaning to check this place out for quite sometime. We were not disappointed.
After a couple of dry martinis, to fortify us against the cold, we made our way into town on a windy Saturday night. Having been warned in advance of the 'no reservations' policy, we got in on the stroke of six o'clock only to find the place absolutely chocka. We took this as a good omen and so gave the wait staff our details before disappearing across the road for several more stiff drinks.
We waited for maybe 45min before getting the green light just before 7pm. We patted ourselves on the back for having the foresight to come in early and slinked out of neighbouring Bellota ($100 poorer due to some overzealous wine ordering).
To start, we dined on an array of oysters and tuatuas served raw. These were deliciously fresh and boasted a lip-smacking minerality. Next came the bacon hock, in all its salty/tangy salsa verde glory, along with the famous turbot sliders. The sliders were so good, we have recreated them at home with the Al Brown endorsed bread range. We were also impressed with the juicy free range chicken dish, roasted aubergines and fried potato skins (a pleasant throw back to my childhood).
The excellent food was helped down the hatch with some fairly drinkable 'tap' wine (which was a new experience for us).
The service throughout the night was outstanding: professional, courteous and easy-going without being too familiar.
The restaurant (come bar) is loud, bustling and vibrant - a sign of people enjoying themselves. Go to Depot for a rowdy night out with friends and for some reasonably priced, tasty fare.
Quite possibly our favourite place to eat in Auckland---where else can you get freshly shucked oysters? Great casual ambience, great food, and last time we were there, Al Brown was making the rounds talking to just about every table. He even gave us free lettuce and bread so we would have a more balanced meal! Only possible drawback is that they don't take bookings, so unless you go at an off-peak time, there could be a bit of a wait for a table.
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Day - Monday
Time - 1pm
I love this place - have spent $1000's there if not 10's of thousands on client entertainment since it opened and will keep going back, clients love it
The good;
Freshly shucked seafood - the best - period - just go and drink the bulk wine and eat those delights and you'll be very very happy, along with any and everything on the starters menu
Mains - Beef is excellent
Chicken Main - BEWARE - as it is young and free range it can and does come with some pink evident and blood on the bone - we questioned it and were given a fair explanation, but old habits die hard so we had a little of it but the majority went back - as I say, tasted fine but always being taught not to eat anything but well cooked we couldn't stomach it
Hapuka Belly - if you are used to eating belly cuts or cuts that have a fairly high fat content, you won't be too put off as has very strong, almost pungent fish flavor - people next to us raved about it, I didn't mind it but clients smiled and had one mouthful ( Note - I'll eat steak that is blue, lambs brain fritters, most offal so different stuff doesn't bother me )
Deserts were good - Tamarind was great, Brie cheese rocked
So, go with confidence, but if you're conservative on what you eat, stick to the staples
Definitely recommended though
I love this place! For a casual pop in, delicious light eats and wine from a cup...you can't go wrong. Has a fantastic vibe, and the interiors are warm and inviting.
The food suffers a few slips here and there - but maybe that's understandable with how busy they always are.
The oysters are the coldest I've ever had, love a really cold oyster and the chardonnay dressing is fantastic!
It is worth overcoming the challenges of getting into this place to experience the food. It can look a bit chaotic from the outside but the service is fantastic and organised.
Standouts from the menu for us were the Turbot sliders, Epicurean Courgette Flowers, Snapper Wings and for something different the Fergus’ Bone Marrow.
Noisy, busy and really worth a try.
Love this place, simple but trendy. good for a quick bite to eat with friends or after office drinks. The sliders are lovely but some improvements to the fajitas are needed. will come back!
Exceptional...fantastic (slightly quirky but not at all pretentious) menu, amazing service, über cool decor...loved it! Will definitely be back, in fact it's our wedding anniversary next week and this will be a great place to celebrate. Interesting location ( feels like you are somewhere other than Auckland)
5 of us there for lunch this Saturday -- ordered the lamb ribs, beef fajitas, pork hock, clams, hapuka fish belly, and a couple of other dishes. The quality of the food is as good as the laid-back vibe. The flavours of all the dishes deserve a mention -- very good. A place to eat-and-enjoy the buzz; not so much for lingering about and engaging in heavy or romantic talk.
Apparently, I'm told, lots of suits there for lunch, mid-week
This was such a great dining experience! The food was absolutely beautiful, and the staff were so amazingly friendly and down to earth. Will most definetly be back soon!! Thank you to everyone at Depot!
Stunning food, great service. Highlight of my foodie weekend in Auckland.
The decor is fun and relaxed, casual style menu that was easy to read with little embellishment. What you read was what you got. Ooodles of flavour on cool plates. Nice touch with the koha flatbread and babaganoush.
Ate the food, bought the book now home to read and cook.
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I love this new eatery and Oyster Bar! A great Kiwi theme done with style rather than tacky. Al Brown is one of our best chefs who specialises in local and wild fare, the food was divine and a great laid back yet still stylish atmosphere. We loved the menus made using old 60's photographs & cutlery in mackerel tins. The complimentary hummus was out of this world...God knows what made it taste so good?! The share platter type menu. Although I didn't want to share my pork dish - melt in the mouth, falling off the bone crisp pork hock with apple & horseradish Salsa Verde and the most delicious light & creamy mash, with a side of delicious asparagus tossed on the grill with black olive butter. Beautiful glistening fresh seafood from the raw bar including an array of oysters and Tuatua clams, mmm. A must for locals and visitors alike. (Sampling fresh seafood is a must in NZ - don't let past experiences of yukky fish dishes taint the experience - we have some of the best!) No reservations allowed so we rocked up for a late lunch on a Saturday at 2pm and got a seat no problem. Service with a smile too. A new favorite!
After read about the new places around Skycity we decide to have a look and try for ourselfs this new and popular eatery & oyster bar. The place is medium size but generally is full so for sure you will be shoulder to shoulder with your neighbours around. Is a cool and casual place to go perfect for after office of course we try a fresh orongo bay oysters and after I get a beautiful Crisp pork hock w/ apple & horseradish salsa verde, a real good choice with a tap red wine glass. Is not a cheap place but it worth it. Really enjoyable.
Just got home from a fantastic evening at Depot with my boyfriend and his visiting French parents.
Very impressed!
Bonus that there was a very charming French waiter there, but apart from that, the food was fantastic, we didn't have to wait long for a table, and the wait staff were attentive and friendly, making us feel immediately at home.
Tua tuas to start: ooh la la! Vinagrette was awesome. Highly recommended: turbot sliders, veal with capers and falling-apart pork hock.
Can't wait to come back with friends, thanks for a great night.
Went with four friends and shared 'one of everything'. It's a great menu and a quality experience.
Oysters, sliders and pork-hock a real highlight.
The fit-out is pretty stunning as well.
Had great fun at Depot the other night! Gorgeous food. Lovely, friendly and helpful young Irish waitress. All the food we ordered was fresh and tasty and.... perfect! Great to see this pocket of the city coming alive with some exciting eateries.
God What a Great Place!
I must say the first time I want too impressed waiting outside for a table. It was a windy night and we weren't even in the restaurant! But the service is great and the drinks kept coming so we were happy.
It only got better once seated, the food was just wonderful and quite different - the flavours.
Great wait staff and you even get to meet your neighbouring dinners at the shared tables.
So since going in Mid November I've been back 3 times.....would even consider giving up cooking so I could go every night.
Walked in off the street prior to RWC final for an early dinner en route to the game. Staff were very welcoming and managed to squeeze us in right at the kitchen bench where we had a fantastic meal. Service was excellent, Al Brown was around chatting to diners - seems like a nice man.
Good food, great ambiance and will definitely be back
Loved the setting! Loved the food! Staff very friendly.
Chair/ stools gave me backache and was a Little pricey but that would be the only negative comments. Had the fishcakes, tortilla, pork and brisket. All fab! The sugar pie was yummy but the RHUBARB and ginger pie was the best! Will be back.
AMAZING!!!
superb food and fantastic service, will defiantly be back again. such attention to detail, very attentive and helpful staff, love how you can watch them cook and prepare seafood.
5 stars all the way!!!!
Have been 3 times in a week. Absolutely love the place. The food in amazing, simple but very delicious. The service is great and I love the wine in the water glasses. Old school without being tacky. Best food and service I've come across in Auckland in a really long time
Wow,what a great place.Popped in for breakfast and wished we'd stayed for lunch.Best coffee ive had in a long time and the bacon butty has me hooked.Super friendly staff,fantastic service,fresh tasty food.Cant wait to go back
Just popped in to have a quick cup of coffee with a friend this morning. We walked in and were a little unsure of whether we needed to order at the bar or sit down and order with a waitress and as there was nobody at the front desk, we decided to ask the barista who was busy behind the bar. We stood for a couple of minutes unnoticed before I interrupted the barista and asked him how to order for a "drink in" coffee.
After seating ourselves and waiting a further couple of minutes, I called the waitress as she walked past our table. So a little slow on the uptake with the service part of things.
BUT, Once our coffee arrived, all was plain sailing. The very friendly manager came over and poured some water for us. I must say, this is the BEST cup of coffee I've found in Auckland to date. I look forward to trying their food soon...
3 varieties of oysters shucked to order - what a start! Loved the vinegrette
Enjoyed several small plates, kahawai fish cakes, kingfish shashimi and snapper tacos all delicious and great to share.
On waitresses recommendation we tried the pork hock next - a huge plate of meat served with the bone, tender, tasty and certainly slowed us up a bit!
Great to watch the chefs cook meals in the wood fired oven - and although we didn't order it the Hapuka belly looks amazing - next time.
We managed to find space for the sugar pie to finish - mmmmm to die for!
Service was great, food came quickly and all washed down with a tap savingnon.
An amazing experience. Well be back.
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How do I begin with depot? As soon as you walk into the place it is buzzing with people and the rustic, industrial atmosphere is calm and nostalgic. The waitress that served us was just brilliant! She remembered everything without writing it down and she was always onto it. The service is amazing, there is only about a 5 minute wait for each meal to come.
The sharing platters are just exquisite. I highly reccomend the lamb ribs, they were falling off the bone, and they were so incredibly tender and juicy. The Mahurangi oysters were a real star and didn't have that "fishy" flavour. Another recommendation would be the skirt steak and onions, this tender cut of need is served with crispy fried onions, fresh iceberg lettuce and their delectable homemade spicy dijon, which was so good that I was tempted to take home the entire jar. Cannot stress how fantastic this meal was.
As far as desserts go, there are not many options, but I guarantee you will not be dissapointed. The sugar pie is possibly the best pie I've ever had. Smooth, silky and not to sweet . As far as delicious place go, I think Depot is the best.
Depot is another wonder by Al Brown – this guy can do no wrong! He’s the man behind Fed Deli and Ugly Bagels as well. Depot is always busy with people and may be hard to get a table during peak hours. It has a very fun and loud atmosphere so don’t be surprised if at times you find yourself yelling across the table to hold a conversation!
The service was great, very friendly staff and they always topped up our water. We tried the oysters – nice and fresh, the pork hock with apple slaw which was delicious (a must-try), potatoes w parmesan which were super crispy and the turbot sliders (also very good) to share between three people. For dessert we tried the sugar pie which was very yummy and not too sweet (despite the name!).
I definitely recommend this place for a nice casual meal before/after a show.
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OK I have been looking forward to come here in like forever with 2 or 3 foiled attempts... but finally got in with 2 other friends that's their first time too. We arrived early for dinner time (just after 6, Sunday), I think there was a table but we were still waiting for one more to show up so we had to wait. By the time he showed up, we had to wait for a little bit more time to get a table.
Together we shared oysters (Tio Point and Pacific; latter is in season), 3x small plates - the fish sliders, the lamb ribs, the skate wings, a bigger plate - the duck confit which was the special of the night, and finished with 2x desserts - the famous sugar pie and tamarillo marshmallow.
My favourite was probably the lamb ribs - I can literally lick the plate, followed by the fish sliders. Everyone raves about the sliders and I usually think meh how good can it be - but it was amazing! The fish were so soft and worked well with the rest of sliders including the gentle bun. The duck confit was executed well but I didn't quite like one of the flavour on the dish (and I am not sure what it was...). The skate wing was not bad, because it's fried of course it tasted good, the coating was the standout there cos it was so crunchy. The oysters were of course great, and I liked seeing them shucking away all night.
Finally the dessert, first off I'm not a big dessert person, but I had to try the sugar pie. Turned out it was awesome! Not too sweet (which I was cautioned of) and the silky smooth caramelly flavour worked so well. The tamarillo and marshmallow looked so pretty and had an interesting flavour - I still haven't made up my mind about tamarillos but I have an affinity for "real" marshmallows like the one here.
The stand-out part of Depot is the service. They are so friendly and warm, and makes you feel like you are their mate... Not sure if they are super helpful with the ordering cos according to the server, everything is amazing, but then again they probably are and it feels slightly assuring you are making the right choice when you order something, and they reply "Yeah that is awesome". I will be back, and taking more people!
Great ambience with delicious food and spectacular service . Must go ????
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If this restaurant actually deserves the Metro Supreme Restaurant of the Year 2012, then I'm John Key. But even John Key won't be able to deny that this restaurant's got it made - throngs of patrons and ruddy good food minus the frills. We kicked off with the fresh taste of Mahurangi Oysters and the Tuatua which was better, offering a clean bass note of savoury ocean. Turbot is called the Rolls Royce of fish, and here it is presented in a natty coupe of well-baked sliders: the high-quality fish is soft, moist and lightly roasted ,cut with lemon mayo and watercress.Deliciously fried Lamb Ribs carried a hint of musky note that was quickly overtaken by succulent meat and liberal currents of fat . Fergus' Bone marrow is a a fatty blast of fabulously full flavour and intense umami, its heart-attack-inducing richness smartly cut with toast, parsley and shallot rings. Service simply cannot cope with the high customer numbers but the staff are cheery and charming when they manage to land up in front of you. Hapuka Belly is a succulent expanse of white fish, but it does not merit its $32 price tag- it's paired with the admirably named eggplant kasundi which unfortunately trades savoury finesse for sweetness. Depot needs to attempt bolder seasoning instead of tame marketplace caution.The newly introduced "Greg's Southern Fried Skate Wings' is meltingly soft with crunchy coating , but sassy seasoning would have made it rival any of the superior Chicken Karaage in the city.
Pork hock here has crunchy crackling atop fatty cuts of pork- the meat's savoury heft blends comfortingly with unctuous horseradish mash and the crisp brightness of green apple matchsticks. Sit next to the kitchen to get a feel of one of the country's busiest bistros. Chef Al Brown who's the nation's most high-profile chef and a TV personality gave me a big surprise when I spotted him, one Friday evening, clearing plates from the tables and taking it inside the kitchen - his corporate drive notwithstanding, he clearly takes the Kiwi DIY ideal to humble heights.
For more photos, you may see http://www.upnworld.com/restaurant/view/id/44/title/Depot
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I have been to Depot a few times, well maybe more than a few times, definitely more than a few times! It is a favourite spot for a quick after work bite. It's always lively. The food is always great & as usual Al Brown nails it on the service.
Favourites & must eats for me, whatever sliders & tortillas are on offer & of course the potato skins with the aged gouda & porcini salt. They are terribly, well wonderfully moreish! And amongst the favorites there is always something new to try which just keeps you coming back for more.
I don’t think anyone who has been there has a bad thing to say...more often than not they will start listing their favourite dishes whether it be the turbot sliders or the snapper tacos or both! The potato skins with aged Gouda and porcini salt have also made it on to the list of must haves.
My most recent visit was with Kristina from Plum Kitchen one Friday evening and our timing was perfect as we got the best seat in the house, the bar looking right in to the kitchen (and the best light for taking a few photos!). A sea of calm that produces platefuls and platefuls of wonderful food, the only draw back is seeing plates that you haven’t ordered....next time! You can’t book so timing is of the essence, pre 6pm you should be fine to secure a spot, any later and there may well be a lengthy wait.
Day or night Depot is buzzing. To ease in to the weekend a couple of glasses of bubbly and some lebanese bread and hummus while we decided what plates to share. Depot is just that plates to share which is great as it means you get to taste twice as many dishes and that is only a good thing here.
First a little NZ meat board with Waikanae pork salami, paprika beef, Akaroa bresola, wild rabbit rillette and cherry relish. And on the side pickles and a fiery habanero mustard. are great my favouirte the wild rabbit rillette with a little of the cherry relish a top crispy crostini. The rillette is rich and the relish sweet and bursting with cherry flavour.
To follow the turbot sliders. These are a favourite and they never fail to please. Perfectly cooked fish with a little pickled lemon mayo and a little pepper watercress on the cutest little bite sized brioche buns. Alongside the sliders pork carnitas with a tomatillo salsa. The salsa bright and fresh with a little zing the perfect accompaniment for the pork.
On the side a beet salad and some of the aforementioned potato skins with vintage gouda and porcini salt. It is the porcini salt that elevates these to heavenly potato skins, it adds a wonderful savouriness that works wonders with the potato skins and the gouda.
We were going to pass on dessert, but the lovely chef, and he was quite lovely, gave us one to try. Tamarillo compote topped with a creamy foam and sprinkled with crystallised sugar and chocolate for a little sweet crunch. The perfect end to a perfect evening. And this just in the snapper tacos are back! They have had a little vacation and now make a very welcome return....another visit to Depot is in order even if just to have a few of those, they are that good. Crispy battered fish with slaw all wrapped up in a soft tortilla...perfection!
If you like this review then check out Toast http://www.toast-nz.com/2012/08/auckland-eats-depot.html
On a clear summers night we strolled from drinks on a friends yacht, under Skytower to perch on barstools at rugged tables, ordered a drink and fortunately for us, Al Brown was in the house. Our yachtie friends having been here several times asked him to choose for us and wow were we treated to more food than we could even eat, such a range of flavours, textures. meats, seafood and salads
Oysters are not a fave of mine but three kinds of freshly shucked ones certainly impressed the guys
Fish sliders with delicious lemony mayo, little "Yorkies" with lamb and aubrrgine, morsels of battered fish in a wrap, , slow cooked beef cheek - it was all amazing and very filling. Luckily we had to walk it off!
No booking here but the tables turn over quite quickly It's great fun , very different and fresh innovative food as you would expect from Al Brown
It's super expensive but the food is good. I like sitting at the bar and watching the world go by! You always get some really interesting and some times famous folks going there!
The metro 50 in 2013 , my friends say the best oysters in north island! I like hanging out with friends and try different spots in the weekend, so if we are in city, we usually have a drink in depot and order 2 dozen oysters and clams, you can feel life is so good ! But the price is expensive which is reasonable. About 5 dollars for just one. Then you can feel the complex taste in your mouth ,the taste of sea, a little bit salty, and a little bit sweet, and very fresh and juicy. For the main, I recommend hapuka belly as it is so fresh and sweet, $32, the free range chicken $30, as the combination of yoghurt,couscous with chicken just balance and healthy ,also very tasty!
Always good time in depot, it's location under the skytower , just walk to see a space full of people ,book early!
This is my go to place for taking visitors for a casual but interesting lunch. I love the sit-at-bar, the oyster/clam counter, the stainless steel water cups, the house wine on tap, and the food is, of course, excellent. Free humus and yummy pita bread to start? Yes please! Whole hapuka belly with aubergine is a big fave as is the sugar pie for dessert. And I've even seen Dr Grant aka Sam Neill in there before (his vineyard Two Paddocks supplies some of Depot's wine).
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I will at some point do a more thorough review of Depot, but I will put this up as a provisional review until such a time as I can take photos and do it properly. This is a restaurant from celebrity chef Al Brown. It serves top end rustic cuisine with particular influences from French Bistro style and Americana. The food is relatively simple and as such it is reliant on technique and ingredients. Depot has been extremely popular in the last few years. It doesn't take bookings and there is often a wait on the door, although tuesday lunch time is a good time to go and is not that full.
The depot has a stock of oysters and clams, with fish and seafood being one of its primary focuses. Generally the seafood is exceptionally good. The oysters are reliably excellent with a selection from all around New Zealand, season permitting. The fish sliders (often Turbot or Terakihi) are a must have and I think the best dish at the restaurant. Nothing speaks to me like perfectly cooked fish. It needs little garnish, but that which accompanies them, only highlights the superlative technique of the fish cook. I have found the pasta an clams with Chorizo a little less inspiring but the pasta was excellent.
The meat is also very good. Of particular excellence I think is the Beef cheek, with celeriac remoulade and the pork hock, which is pretty consistently on the menu. The Charcuterie board is decent, with more understated meats and homemade accompaniments. When in season the peach, prosciutto and blue cheese salad is excellent as well (although I prefer it without the blue cheese, not because I don't like blue cheese, but I think it eliminates some of the subtlety of the pairing).
What really works about Depot is the consistently excellent cooking. Whether it is the dip and bread to begin with that is perfectly smooth or the superbly cooked fish or wonderfully braised beef cheek with perfect julienned celeriac, Depot is hard to fault. My only small criticism would be that the shallots were not minced fine enough in the vinaigrette for the oysters, but this is extraordinarily picky to be honest. Depot is reliably good cooking matched with superb ingredients.
Another thing I really enjoy about Depot is that its menu is seasonal. That is you won't find many dishes presenting out of season ingredients, celeriac and yams in winter, peaches and tomatoes in summer, Depot has a superb feel for the season and my hat goes off to them for that. It ensure the ingredients are fresh and at their peak and food really shines for it.
All this is presented in a relaxed and somewhat informal atmosphere, which seems to hit exactly the right note when it comes to the tenor of the food. I really like Depot, its broad rustic flavoures complemented by superb attention to detail and good service. The food is good, by I do find the experience, perhaps because of its rustic straight forward manner, not inspiring in the same way I might for some of the other truly excellent restaurants in Auckland, but this should not deter diners at all.
If I could do more than five stars I would. We came here at the recommendation of another couple we met on a wine tour. We loved it so much we came back the next day to repeat and try other menu items.
The staff was friendly and servers welcoming and helpful.
Portions are designed to be shared.
Between our two visits we had the Snapper sliders, Trevally Sashimi, both oysters, the baby cos, the Fergus bone marrow, grilled octopus, potato skins, Braised Lumina Lamb should croquets, and Crisp Freedome farm pork hock. For dessert the cookie.
I highly recommend everything, I’m not sure I can narrow it down. Definitely the oysters, Trevally, the bone marrow, pork hock, and the cookie. Definitely get the cookie it’s worth the 20 minute wait.
This was a great place and a great last dinner to end my 3 week holiday. My husband and I sat by the kitchen and watched the magic of prepping and playing food. Chef OJ was a beast, she was so good to watch she was amazing.
My we got the bone marrow, potato skins and skirt steak. It was so good. Definitely a place to visit for lunch or dinner!
Came here for early dinner at 5pm after a spa day, so it was nice and quiet. We ordered poutine, toasted rueben, NY strip steak, and mussel & pastrami chowder.
We all loved the poutine, I enjoyed my toasted rueben so much! My sister said her steak was cold but still ate it. My mum wasn't keen on her chowder but still ate it!🙈🤣 service was great.
Pleasantly surprised here. Have been before but only snacked and it was great then but for such a popular spot, I wasn't expecting the standards to be so great.
The oysters, although $7 each, were some of the best I've had in a very long time. The mignonette was well made and the oysters were shucked and presented very well.
Fish sandwich was amazing and a must get.
Bone marrow was good.
Skirt steak was excellent.
Pork hock was great.
Brisket was excellent.
The service here was world class with helpful, attentive staff. Atmosphere was great. Drinks were great.
We were seated within minutes on a busy Thursday night (Easter weekend).
Sat at the kitchen counter where we watched all the plates being prepared.
Oysters were delicious, food was tasty, and service amazing. Really glad we tried this restaurant out.
Stopped by for lunch and split heirloom tomatoes and skirt steak. We were concerned that wouldn’t be enough so we ordered potatoe skins as well. Lots of food. Everything was delicious. Host seating us was helpful and found a table where a 6 foot 6 inch guy could sit comfortably. Thank you and keep up the good work
Great and fun food, fantastic fast and friendly service and ample sitting space inside and outside. When I was at the Depot, the waiters went out of their way to reconfigure one of the tables for a lady in in wheelchair and did it very fast and in a very friendly way. Fun and lively place, full of energy.
The best pork hock, the best potato skins. The sliders and bone marrow were good too. The oysters were very fresh. A nice buzzy atmosphere. Highly recommended.
Had a wonderful experience dining at Depot. Service was fantastic with friendly and helpful wait staff, beautiful food and great wine list. We will definitely be back!
This restaurant came highly recommended and it did not disappoint! Service was top notch and food was delicious. Gluten free options available and the staff really made sure to accommodate. No reservations- but we came around 5:30pm and were able to get a table without waiting.
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